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The Impact of Ulcerative Colitis on Patients’ Lives Compared to Other Chronic Diseases: A Patient Survey

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Abstract

Purpose

This study was designed to identify the impact chronic ulcerative colitis (UC) has on the lives of patients compared to other chronic conditions. Overall, 451 patients with UC, 309 with rheumatoid arthritis, 305 with asthma, and 305 with migraine headaches were recruited in an Internet survey designed to assess a variety of disease-impact indices.

Results

Patients with UC reported a mean of eight (self-defined) flare-ups in the previous 12 months. Significantly more patients with UC (81%) believed that the quantity of flare-ups they experienced was ‘normal’, compared to patients with migraine headaches (64%) or asthma (75%). Patients with UC also reported significantly more worry about disease complications (84%), depression (62%), and embarrassment (70%) than patients with the other chronic conditions.

Conclusions

Compared to patients with other chronic conditions, patients with UC perceive substantially more negative impact upon their lives, especially with regard to the psychological burden.

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Abbreviations

UC:

Ulcerative colitis

UC: NORMAL:

Ulcerative colitis: new observations on remission, management and lifestyle

RA:

Rheumatoid arthritis

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the contribution of Duncan Campbell PhD (GeoMed) for medical writing support, and Sarah Wright (GeoMed) for editorial assistance. This study was funded by Shire Pharmaceuticals Inc., Wayne, PA, USA.

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Correspondence to David T. Rubin.

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Rubin, D.T., Dubinsky, M.C., Panaccione, R. et al. The Impact of Ulcerative Colitis on Patients’ Lives Compared to Other Chronic Diseases: A Patient Survey. Dig Dis Sci 55, 1044–1052 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-009-0953-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-009-0953-7

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