Ulcerative Colitis (UC) is a chronic disease which affects the large intestine (colon) and includes characteristic ulcers or open sores in the colon. The main symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis are usually abdominal pain, diarrhoea mixed with blood of gradual onset. The disease may also affect parts of the body outside the intestine producing symptoms resembling arthritis. Ulcerative Colitis is an intermittent disease with periods of exacerbated symptoms and periods that are relatively symptom free.

Although Ulcerative Colitis has no known cause, there is a presumed genetic component to susceptibility.

In 2005, in the United States, the Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease population is estimated to be approximately of 1.4 million patients of which about 61% are affected by Ulcerative Colitis. 75% of the diagnosed UC patient population is actually treated.



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