Gastroenterology Research, ISSN 1918-2805 print, 1918-2813 online, Open Access
Article copyright, the authors; Journal compilation copyright, Gastroenterol Res and Elmer Press Inc
Journal website http://www.gastrores.org

Original Article

Volume 6, Number 2, April 2013, pages 49-55


The Gap Between Flare-Up Recognition and Judgment of Need for Physician Visit in Patients With Ulcerative Colitis

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1. Presence of gap between symptoms recognized as a flare-up of UC and symptoms judged to require physician visit.
Figure 2.
Figure 2. Recognition of the need to consult a doctor when symptoms are worsening.

Tables

Table 1. Self-Reported Clinical Characteristics and Demographic Parameters
 
VariableMean ± SDCase (%) (n=260)
Age (y)47.2 ± 16.1
Disease duration (y)12.8 ± 7.9
Gender (male) 130 (50.0)
Current treatment
  Oral aminosalicylates 217 (83.8)
  Topical aminosalicylates 48 (18.5)
  Oral corticosteroid 32 (12.3)
  Topical corticosteroid 35 (13.5)
  Immunomodulatory drug (6MP, AZA) 34 (13.1)
  Immunomodulatory drug (Tacrolimus) 1 (0.4)
  Leukocyte apheresis 5 (1.9)
Biologics 7 (2.7)
  Supplemental elemental diet 11 (4.2)
Treatment Experience
  Oral aminosalicylates 240 (92.7)
  Topical aminosalicylates 160 (61.5)
  Oral corticosteroid 177 (68.1)
  Topical corticosteroid 175 (67.3)
  Immunomodulatory drug (6MP, AZA) 69 (26.5)
  Immunomodulatory drug (Tacrolimus) 13 (5.0)
  Leukocyte apheresis 86 (33.1)
  Biologics 9 (3.5)
  Supplemental elemental diet 60 (23.1)

 

Table 2. Symptoms Recognized as a Flare-Up of UC and Symptoms Judged to Require Physician Consultation
 
Symptoms recognized as a flare-up of UC(n = 247)
n%
Blood in stool14558.7
Frequent bowel movements8735.2
Stool mucus8333.6
Abdominal pain7630.8
Diarrhea5823.5
Loose stool2911.7
Fatigue2510.1
Urgency239.3
Fever208.1
Flatulence166.5
Tenesmus124.9
Abdominal discomfort104.0
Symptoms judged to require physician consultation(n = 237)
n%
Blood in stool15665.8
   (worsening of bloody stool)(38)
Frequent bowel movements8435.4
   (more than 6 times per day)(18)
Abdominal pain5623.6
Diarrhea3514.8
Stool mucus218.9
Fever208.4
Fatigue104.2