Most UK Patients with UC Unsatisfied with Treatments
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Only one-third of patients diagnosed with ulcerative colitis were fully satisfied with their current therapy, and 46% of those who underwent colectomy said in retrospect they would have asked for more information about treatment options, according to recent survey results.
The Crohn’s and Colitis UK foundation conducted an online survey in September. Of the 684 respondents, 75% were women, 46% were aged 25 to 39 years, 29% were aged 40 to 54 years, and 9% had undergone colectomy. Forty-seven percent of respondents had been hospitalized during the last 5 years; 19% later underwent colectomy.
Thirty-five percent of respondents said they were “completely satisfied” with their current treatment and keeping their UC symptoms in check. Nearly half (46%) of those who reported undergoing colectomy (n=61) said they experienced six or more flare-ups in the last 2 years vs. 19% of respondents who did not have surgery. Fatigue (74%), abdominal pain (54%) and diarrhea (33%) were the most common symptoms after surgery. Fifty-three percent of respondents said fatigue was the most difficult symptom to manage.
“Although many people with ulcerative colitis will respond well to conventional therapies, there will always be a subset of those who fail to respond to these treatments and alternative choices to surgery are needed,” Chris Probert, MD, FRCP, professor of gastroenterology at the University of Liverpool, honorary consultant gastroenterologist at Royal Liverpool Hospital, chair of the IBD Committee for the British Society of Gastroenterology and vice-chair of the Clinical Advisers Committee for Crohn’s and Colitis UK, said in a press release.
Merck Sharp & Dohme funded the survey, which was administered by Kantar Health.