Clinical and epidemiological aspects of ulcerative colitis in the Irkutsk region

AIM: to study sociodemographic, clinical and epidemiological features in patients with ulcerative colitis in the Irkutsk region (Russia).PATIENTS AND METHODS: the database of the Irkutsk IBD Center included 1,122 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) registered from 01.01.2006 to 31.12.2019. The study is retrospective with a focus on the results of follow-up, check up and treatment in different periods of their disease (acute attack, chronic course, remission). Statistical analysis was performed according to the principles of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE).RESULTS: the incidence of inflammatory bowel disease in the Irkutsk Oblast over the previous 14 years has increased by 2.7 times, of ulcerative colitis — by 3.1 times and was 3.91 person-years per 100,000 population. The prevalence of UC was 68.5 per 100,000 population. The annual increase in new UC cases was 46.6 ± 8.2. Most patients had total lesion (68.4%) and moderate-to-severe disease (46.9%). Extra-intestinal manifestations (13.6%) were represented by skin lesions (40.7%). Body weight deficiency occurred in 9.9% in females and in 5.1% in males. The probability of colectomy was 1.4/100 patient-years (follow-up period was 7049.5 patient-years; n = 1122). Patients underwent urgent operations in 76.3%. Postoperative mortality was 1.03/100 patient-years (exposition time — 291.6 years, n = 3). Total mortality for the entire follow-up period was 1.8% — 0.34/100 patient-years (exposition time — 4440.8 years).CONCLUSION: objective epidemiological data, clinical features and treatment options for patients with ulcerative colitis in long-term follow-up in the Irkutsk Oblast are presented. The results of such studies on a national scale can serve as a platform for further scientific research and planning of socio-economic programs.