Objective To investigate the value of combined prediction of prognosis in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) by serum microRNA-182-5p (miR-182-5p) and microRNA-31-5p (miR-31-5p).

Methods A total of 112 UC patients were selected as the study subjects (observation group). According to the Mayo score, they were divided into Group A (mild, n=39), Group B (moderate, n=45) and Group C (severe, n=28). Additionally, 70 healthy individuals undergoing physical examinations during the same period were selected as control group. The expression levels of serum miR-182-5p and miR-31-5p were measured using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Logistic regression analysis was employed to screen influencing factors for poor prognosis in UC patients. The clinical value of serum miR-182-5p and miR-31-5p levels in predicting poor prognosis in patients was analyzed using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.

Results The expression level of serum miR-182-5p in the observation group was significantly lower, and the expression level of miR-31-5p was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The more severe the condition of UC patients were, the lower the expression level of serum miR-182-5p and the higher the expression level of serum miR-31-5p would be(P < 0.05). The expression level of serum miR-182-5p in patients with poor prognosis was significantly lower than that in patients with good prognosis, and the level of miR-31-5p was significantly higher than that in patients with good prognosis (P < 0.05). Elevated serum miR-31-5p expression (OR=3.153) and decreased miR-182-5p levels (OR=0.695) were risk factors for poor prognosis in UC patients (P < 0.05). The area under the curve (AUC) of serum miR-182-5p and miR-31-5p alone for predicting poor prognosis in UC patients was 0.723 and 0.811, respectively. The AUC of the combined prediction of the two indicators was 0.913, with a sensitivity of 94.12% and a specificity of 85.90%. The combined prediction of serum miR-182-5p and miR-31-5p was superior to their individual prediction (P < 0.05).

Conclusion As the condition of UC patients worsens, the expression level of serum miR-182-5p decreases, while the expression level of miR-31-5p increases.