Find comprehensive information on Ulcerative Colitis including clinical documentation, medical coding, ICD-10 codes K51, SNOMED CT concepts, and healthcare guidelines. Learn about symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and management of Ulcerative Colitis for accurate medical records and optimal patient care. Explore resources for healthcare professionals, including coding best practices and clinical terminology related to Ulcerative Colitis.
Also known as
Ulcerative colitis
Chronic inflammation and ulcers in the large intestine.
Crohns disease
Inflammatory bowel disease affecting any part of GI tract.
Other noninfective gastroenteritis and colitis
GI inflammation not caused by infection, excluding UC/Crohns.
Other diseases of intestines
Various intestinal conditions not classified elsewhere.
Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.
Is the ulcerative colitis specified as pancolitis?
Yes
Is it with rectal bleeding?
No
Is it proctitis?
When to use each related code
Description |
---|
Ulcerative colitis: colon inflammation |
Crohn's disease: GI tract inflammation |
Microscopic colitis: chronic watery diarrhea |
Coding ulcerative colitis without specifying extent (e.g., proctitis, left-sided, pancolitis) leads to inaccurate DRG assignment and reimbursement.
Documentation of mild, moderate, or severe UC must align with coded severity. Discrepancies impact quality metrics and payment.
Failing to distinguish between acute exacerbations and chronic UC impacts resource utilization data and clinical documentation integrity.
Patient presents with symptoms consistent with ulcerative colitis (UC). Chief complaints include bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, and tenesmus. The patient reports [frequency] bowel movements per day with visible blood and mucus. Associated symptoms include fatigue, weight loss of [amount] in the last [duration], and [presence or absence] of fever. On physical examination, the abdomen is [tender/non-tender] with [description of bowel sounds]. Extraintestinal manifestations such as arthritis, uveitis, or primary sclerosing cholangitis are [present/absent]. The patient's past medical history is significant for [relevant comorbidities]. Family history is positive/negative for inflammatory bowel disease. Current medications include [list medications]. Differential diagnosis includes Crohn's disease, infectious colitis, and ischemic colitis. To confirm the diagnosis of ulcerative colitis, the following diagnostic tests are planned: colonoscopy with biopsy, fecal calprotectin, and complete blood count (CBC). Initial management includes [pharmacological treatments such as mesalamine, corticosteroids, or biologics] and dietary modifications. Patient education regarding disease management, medication adherence, and potential complications such as toxic megacolon and colorectal cancer risk was provided. Follow-up appointment scheduled in [duration] to assess treatment response and adjust management as needed. ICD-10 code K51.9, Ulcerative colitis, unspecified, is assigned.