METHODS:Ninty ulcerative colitis patients were randomly divided into two groups. Group1: 48 cases treated by integated TCM and western me dicine, 40 were men and 8 were women, aged 23-50 years with 31.6a in aver age and the disease course ranged from 5mo to 15a, 3.76a in a verage, with 11 cases less than 1a, 22 cases 1a-5a, 13 cases 5a-10a and 15 cases more than 10a.

Endoscopic examinations revealed 16 cases with scattered ulcerative lesions on intestinal mucosa, 16 cases with slig ht mucosal erosions and 14 cases with mucosal congestion and edema. Group 2: 42 cases treated solely by conventional therapy as control, 36 were men and 6 were women, aged 21-48 years with 30.3a in average with the disease cou rse ranged from 6mo-14a, 3.55a in average, with 9 cases less than 1a, 21 cases 1a-5a, 11 cases 5a-10a and 1 case more than 1a. Endoscopic examinations revealed 16 cases with scattered ulcerati ons on the intestinal mucosa, 15 cases with slight mucosal erosions, 13 cases wi th mucosal congestions and adema. Two groups were demographically comparable, t heir general status, clinical symptoms and endoscopic signs were similer withou t significant differences (P>0.05).

Patients in Group were treated by integrated TCM and western medicine based on an overall analysis of the illness and patient condition and conventional western interventions were used solely in the controlled Group 2. The efficacy and clinical results were observed and co mpared meticulously.