Gordon IO, et al. - In this cross-sectional study, researchers explored the presence, anatomical location and degree of ulcerative colitis-associated fibrosis. Its possible link to clinical parameters was also ascertained. They detected submucosal fibrosis in 100% of ulcerative colitis colectomy specimens, but only in areas affected by inflammation. Colectomy for refractory disease rather than presence of dysplasia was observed to be linked with increased fibrosis and a thicker muscularis mucosae, whereas a thinner muscularis mucosae was found in association with anti-tumour necrosis factor therapy. Hence, they recommended considering a significant degree of fibrosis and muscularis mucosae thickening as common complications of chronic progressive ulcerative colitis. These features seem to have clinical consequences such as motility abnormalities and increased wall stiffness. inflammatory