Condition.
An idiopathic, non-specific inflammatory disorder involving primarily the mucosa
and submucosa of the colon, especially the rectum. It appears mainly in adults
under the age of 30, but may affect children and adults over the age of 50. Its
aetiology remains unknown, but immunopathological mechanisms and predisposing
psychological factors are believed to be involved. It usually produces a bloody
diarrhea and various degrees of systemic involvement, liability to malignant
degeneration, if of long duration and affecting the entire
colon.