GOALS FOR TREATING
ULCERATIVE COLITIS
The Importance of Treatment Goals
A treatment goal is a specific result you’d like to achieve for your ulcerative colitis (UC). Setting goals with your doctor is important because it helps you to be an active partner in your own care and helps your doctor track your progress toward those goals.
3 Key Goals to Strive For
Treatment goals have evolved from just treating symptoms to addressing the inflammation in the colon lining that can cause symptoms and complications. When you and your doctor discuss treatment options and set treatment goals, consider how reducing inflammation in the colon lining can help you achieve those goals.
1. Experience Relief From a Wide Range of Symptoms
When inflammation is reduced, you may experience relief from disruptive symptoms, including frequent bowel movements, bloody stools, bowel urgency, and fatigue.
2. Visibly Repair the Colon Lining
Also called “endoscopic improvement,” this is a reduction in inflammation in your colon lining that your doctor can see during an endoscopy or colonoscopy—and controlling it is an important part of managing UC.
3. Achieve Lasting Remission
An important treatment goal is to achieve remission, which means you’re experiencing few or no symptoms and your doctor can see visible repair in your colon lining.
See What Visible Colon Lining Repair Looks Like*
Your gastroenterologist can look for inflammation in your colon lining during an endoscopy or colonoscopy. An endoscopic image like this can mean your treatment isn't working. To understand what your doctor may see during a colonoscopy, explore the tool below.
Your gastroenterologist can see visible colon lining repair during an endoscopy or colonoscopy. A reduction in inflammation can be a sign that your treatment option is working well. Ask your doctor how you can visibly repair your colon lining.
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Signs of Damage
Ulcers: open sores caused by inflammation
Redness: a result of inflammation in the colon lining
Bleeding: a result of inflammation and open sores (ulcers)
Surface Inflammation: an immune response that includes swelling, redness, warmth, and pain
Signs of Damage
Ulcers: open sores caused by inflammation
Redness: a result of inflammation in the colon lining
Bleeding: a result of inflammation and open sores (ulcers)
Surface Inflammation: an immune response that includes swelling, redness, warmth, and pain
Signs of Repair
Fewer Ulcers
Less Redness
Less Bleeding
Smooth Lining
Signs of Repair
Fewer Ulcers
Less Redness
Less Bleeding
Smooth Lining
*The images above are shown for educational purposes only to illustrate a damaged colon lining and visible colon lining repair. Degree and location of UC damage and repair will differ by patient. Areas that were visually assessed may not represent improvement or repair of the entire colon lining. Images are not of SKYRIZI patients. Results are consistent with SKYRIZI clinical trials.
See how SKYRIZI works to help people achieve their treatment goals.
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