COVID-19 pandemic and exacerbation of ulcerative colitis

Figure 1 Ulcerative colitis disease activity index score during the first wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic as compared with the previous visit (n = 289). During the first wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in Japan (March–April 2020), consecutive ulcerative colitis (UC) patients presenting to our clinic were enrolled in this study. Mean modified UC-disease activity index was significantly higher on the day of entry than at the previous visit. UC-DAI: Ulcerative colitis disease activity index.

Figure 2 Exacerbation rates in patients and controls. Exacerbation of ulcerative colitis was significantly more frequent during the first wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic than in the control period the previous year, occurring in 46 patients (15.9%) and 23 controls (8.9%; P = 0.0151).

Figure 3 Factors causing stress in patients with exacerbation. Questionnaires on stress during the pandemic revealed that among the 46 patients who experienced exacerbation during the pandemic, 35 reported mental stress induced by coronavirus disease 2019, 6 felt stress due to their jobs, 3 felt stress due to having to stay home, and 2 felt unspecified stress.