[Arthritic manifestations in ulcerative colitis].

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is commonly associated with peripheral joint disease which correlates with the activity and extent of the inflammatory bowel disorder. They are generally divided into three clinical categories; peripheral arthritis, spondylitis, and sacroiliitis. The arthritis is usually pauciarticular, generally asymmetric, transient, and nondestructive. However, the peripheral arthritis becomes chronic and destructive in some cases. Rheumatoid arthritis has been reported to be seldom associated with UC. Inflammatory joint disease is considered an enteropathic arthritis if the gastrointestinal tract is directly involved in the pathogenesis. The occurrence of rheumatologic manifestations in UC is reviewed in this paper.