Epidemiology and clinical characteristics of ulcerative colitis in Chinese population: experience from a single center in Hong Kong

Background and Aim: Rising incidence and prevalence of ulcerative colitis (UC) had been observed in Asian countries. We conducted a study in an Asian center, aiming to describe the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of UC in local Chinese population. Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of patients with diagnosis of UC in our hospital from June 1990 to December 2006. The diagnosis of UC has to satisfy the internationally accepted criteria. All patients were Chinese residents in a well‐defined catchment area. Clinical and epidemiological data were obtained from medical records and patient interviews. Results: Seventy‐three Chinese UC patients had been managed in our hospital. The hospital‐based prevalence had risen by three times over a 10‐year period, but no definite rising incidence can be demonstrated. The mean age at diagnosis was 40.6 years and the median duration of disease is 72 months. In our patient cohort, 38.4% had ulcerative proctitis and 26% had left‐sided UC, whereas 35.6% had extensive UC at presentation. The majority presented with mild (39.7%) or moderate (30.2%) disease activity, but 27.4% presented with severe disease. Two patients (2.7%) present with fulminant disease with one of them developed toxic megacolon. Extra‐gastrointestinal manifestations occurred in 13.7%. During the follow‐up period, most patients (86.3%) were in disease remission. Four patients (5.5%) underwent colectomy, four patients (5.5%) died, and two patients (2.7%) were lost to follow up. Conclusion: The prevalence but not the incidence of UC is rising in Chinese population. It usually affects young patients and a substantial proportion of patients presented with severe and fulminant disease. The disease activity of most Chinese patients can be controlled with medical treatment, though a small proportion of patients need surgery or have fatal outcome.