Ulcerative Colitis (UC) and Crohn's Disease Fact Sheet

This information can be found on the NACC website together along with a wealth of other detail on these two conditions.

Introduction

Together, UC and Crohn’s Disease affect about 1 person in every 400 in the United Kingdom population
UC and Crohn’s Disease are chronicA disease of long duration generally involving slow changes. (ongoing) conditions, which are not infectious
Although diagnosisThe process of determining which condition a patient may have. can occur at any age the most common age for diagnosis is between 10 and 40
In both UC and Crohn’s there is a higher chance of developing either illness if you have a close relative who has the condition
In 10-15% of cases, UC and Crohn’s may be difficult to distinguish
Men and women suffer equally
The severity of the symptoms fluctuates unpredictably over time. Patients are likely to experience flare-upsTerm to describe episodes when the symptoms of a condition worsen. in between intervals of remissionThe lessening or disappearance of the symptoms or signs of a disease. or reduced symptoms
The cause or causes have not yet been identified in either illness. Both geneticRelating to the genes, the basic units of genetic material. factors and environmental triggers are likely to be involved

UC affects the rectumThe last part of the large intestine, where faeces are stored before being passed. and sometimes the colonThe large intestine. (large intestineThe section of gut, or gastrointestinal tract, from the stomach to the anus.). Inflammation and many tiny ulcers develop on the inside lining of the colon resulting in urgent and bloody diarrhoeaWhen bowel evacuation happens more often than usual, or where the faeces are abnormally liquid., pain and continual tiredness. The condition varies as to how much of the colon is affected
UC can cause inflammationThe body’s response to injury. in the eyes, skin and joints
If the inflammation is only in the rectum it is known as proctitisInflammation of the lower part of the rectum.

Affects approximately 60,000 people in the UK, that’s about 1 in 1000
Between 3,000 and 6,000 new cases are diagnosed each year
Research shows that the number of people with Crohn’s Disease has been rising steadily, particularly among young people. More recently, numbers have stabilised
It can affect anywhere from the mouth to the anusThe external opening of the back passage, the rectum. but most commonly affects the small intestine and/or colon. It causes inflammation, deep ulcers and scarring to the wall of the intestine and often occurs in patches
The main symptoms are pain in the abdomenThe part of the body that contains the stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder and other organs., urgent diarrhoea, general tiredness and loss of weight. Crohn’s is sometimes associated with other inflammatory conditions affecting the joints, skin and eyes.

Source: NACC.