Image processing device capable of accurately determining ulcerative colitis by using a medical image and method of operating the same

A method of operating an image processing device including a processor, the method comprising:

• an image acquisition step of, by the processor, acquiring a medical image obtained by picking up an image of an object to be observed;
• an image processing decision step of, by the processor, deciding whether or not to perform image processing on the medical image on the basis of an imaging condition of the medical image or an image analysis result obtained by analyzing the medical image;
• and
• a determination step of, by the processor, performing, for the medical image on which the processor has decided to perform the image processing, at least one of calculation of an index value related to a stage of ulcerative colitis, determination of the stage of the ulcerative colitis, or determination of remission or non-remission of the ulcerative colitis on the basis of denseness of superficial blood vessels, intramucosal hemorrhage, and extramucosal hemorrhage that are obtained from the medical image.