Leukocytapheresis in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Primarily Ulcerative Colitis)

* Criteria for Evidence Grading SBU’s Conclusions, see page 2. 1 Does not include treatment with so-called biological/immuno modulating drugs (eg, infliximab). Continues on next page Technology and target group Approximately 1% of the Swedish population has ulcer­ ative colitis or Crohn’s disease. In ulcerative colitis the rectum and often part or all of the colon are inflamed. Common symptoms include blood in feces, diarrhea, and urgency and increased frequency of bowel movements. In Crohn’s disease, inflammation is usually localized in the small intestine and colon, but it can affect the entire gastrointestinal tract. Crohn’s disease in the colon causes symptoms similar to ulcerative colitis, but substantial weight loss is more usual. A common feature of both dis­ eases is that they often present as recurring episodes of acute attacks followed by periods that are relatively or even completely symptom­free.