Ulcerative colitis
What is ulcerative colitis (UC)?
UC1
Quick Links
UC happens when the immune system starts to attack the bowel.1 Causes are thought to include a mix of:1
- The genes a person has inherited
- The immune system functioning incorrectly
- Gut flora (bacteria in the gut)
- An environmental trigger
UC causes1
Prevalence of UC
UC can be diagnosed at any age, but it is most often diagnosed in people aged from 15 to 25 years old.2 Men and women are equally affected by the condition.2
Prevalence of UC1
Signs and symptoms of UC
The symptoms of UC can range from mild to severe and are likely to change over time.1 Some people with UC may have periods of good health (remission) as well as times when symptoms come back (flare-ups or relapses).1
When the disease is active, symptoms may include:*1–4
Active UC symptoms1–4
*These symptoms may not always be symptoms of UC. Please always speak to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse for further information.
In rare cases, UC can cause other complications such as toxic megacolon (severe inflammation) and perforations, or ruptures, of the bowel.1,5 UC is associated with an increased risk of bowel (colorectal) cancer, with people with UC almost 2.5 times more likely to develop it than those without UC.6
Living with UC can profoundly affect quality of life, particularly during flares and relapses, with almost half of people with UC saying that their mental health is affected.1,7,8
Treatment options for UC
There are treatment options for UC that can help manage flares and keep patients in remission such as:1,2
Surgery
Biologics
Aminosalicylates (5-ASAs)
Corticosteroids
Immunosuppressants
Partnering with patients to understand the impact of living with UC
We are committed to understanding the true impact of living with chronic diseases, such as UC. In November 2022, we partnered with a group of patients living with UC in the UK to raise awareness of the disease and develop an educational podcast series, More than Guts, which discusses pertinent and powerful IBD stories from patients and healthcare professionals. Through expert-led discussions and open conversations, the series aims to help change mindsets and behaviours for better patient outcomes in IBD care. This non-promotional series has been organised and funded by Bristol Myers Squibb.9
References
1 Crohn's & Colitis UK. Ulcerative colitis: your guide. Available at: https://crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/media/sw5fmsjq/uc-ed-10-with-links.pdf
Last accessed: October 2023
2 NHS. Ulcerative colitis. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ulcerative-colitis/.
Last accessed: October 2023
3 Mayo Clinic. Ulcerative colitis. Symptoms & causes. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ulcerative-colitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20353326.
Last accessed: October 2023
4 National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Symptoms & causes of ulcerative colitis. Available at: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/ulcerative-colitis/symptoms-causes.
Last accessed: October 2023
5 Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America. The facts about inflammatory bowel diseases. Available at: https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/assets/pdfs/ibdfactbook.pdf.
Last accessed: October 2023
6 Jess T, Rungoe C, Peyrin-Biroulet L. Risk of colorectal cancer in patients with ulcerative colitis: a meta-analysis of population-based cohort studies. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2012 Jun;10(6):639-45.
7 McMullan C, Pinkney TD, Jones LL et al. Adapting to ulcerative colitis to try to live a 'normal' life: a qualitative study of patients' experiences in the Midlands region of England. BMJ Open. 2017 Aug 21;7(8):e017544.
8 Crohn's & Colitis Foundation. Navigating daily life with IBD. Available at: https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/mental-health/navigating-daily-life-with-ibd.
Last accessed: October 2023
9 Bristol Myers Squibb. More than guts: inflammatory bowel disease podcast. Available at: https://www.bms.com/gb/about-us/inflammatory-bowel-disease-podcasts.html.
Last accessed: October 2023
October 2023 | ONC-GB-2200683