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Ulcerative Colitis
About Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative Colitis

A person sat on the edge of the bed holding their stomach in pain.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is the prolonged (or chronic) inflammation of the inner lining of the colon, known as the colonic mucosa. This inflammation occurs in the rectum (the end of the bowel) and can continue throughout the colon (the large intestine). Small ulcers can develop on the colon's lining and can bleed and produce pus.1

How many people have UC?

In 2023, there were estimated to be 5 million cases of ulcerative colitis worldwide (reference 2).

In 2023, there were estimated to be 5 million cases of UC worldwide, with incidence increasing.2 Globally, North America and northern Europe have the highest incidence and prevalence rates of UC, while rates are lowest in the southern hemisphere and in Eastern countries. Incidence has increased in countries that have adopted an industrialised lifestyle, which suggests that environmental factors might be crucial in the triggering of disease onset.3

Statistics from 2020 show that UC is more prevalent in the UK population than Crohn’s disease and unclassified irritable bowel syndrome (IBD), present in 0.4% of the population, compared to 0.3% and 0.07% for Crohn’s disease and unclassified IBD, respectively.4 

The condition can develop at any age, but is most commonly diagnosed in people aged 15-25 years. It is more common in white people of European descent (especially those descended from Ashkenazi Jewish communities) and black people, but is rarer in those from Asian backgrounds. The reasons for this are unclear. Both men and women seem to be equally affected by UC.1

References

  1. Ulcerative Colitis – NHS. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ulcerative-colitis/. Last accessed April 2025.
  2. C. Le Berre, S. Honap, L. Peyrin-Biroulet. Ulcerative colitis. The Lancet, 2023; 402(10401):571.
  3. M. Zhao, L. Gonczi, P. L. Lakatos, J. Burisch. The Burden of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Europe in 2020. Journal of Crohn’s and Colitis. 2021;15(9):1573-1587.
  4. Crohn’s and Colitis - Epidemiology Summary: Incidence and Prevalence of IBD in the United Kingdom. Available at: https://crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/media/4e5ccomz/epidemiology-summary-final.pdf. Last accessed April 2025.