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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffUlcerative colitis affects about the same number of women and men. Risk factors may include:
- Age. Ulcerative colitis can occur at any age, but ulcerative colitis often affects people in their 30s. Some people may not develop the disease until their 50s or 60s.
- Race or ethnicity. Although whites have the highest risk of the disease, it can occur in any race. If you're of Jewish descent, your risk is even higher.
- Family history. You're at higher risk if you have a close relative, such as a parent, sibling or child, with the disease.
- Isotretinoin (Accutane) use. Isotretinoin (Accutane) is a powerful medication sometimes used to treat scarring cystic acne or acne that doesn't respond to other treatments. Although cause and effect hasn't been proved, studies have reported the development of inflammatory bowel disease with isotretinoin use.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication. Although these medications — ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Aleve), diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren), piroxicam (Feldene) and others — haven't been shown to cause ulcerative colitis, they can cause similar signs and symptoms. Additionally, these medications can make existing ulcerative colitis worse, and may make your initial diagnosis more difficult.
References
- About ulcerative colitis and proctitis. The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America. http://www.ccfa.org/info/about/ucp. Accessed June 30, 2009.
- Ulcerative colitis. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec02/ch018/ch018c.html. Accessed June 30, 2009.
- Peppercorn MA, et al. Medical management of ulcerative colitis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 30, 2009.
- Ulcerative colitis. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/colitis/. Accessed June 30, 2009.
- Accutane (prescribing information). Nutley, N.J.: Roche; 2008. http://www.rocheusa.com/products/accutane/pi.pdf. Accessed June 23, 2009.
- Inflammatory bowel disease. In: Rakel RE, et al. Conn's Current Therapy 2008. 60th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/144932667-4/854785995/1621/261.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-4435-2..50133-3--cesec17_2085. Accessed June 21, 2009.
- Rutgeerts P, et al. Biological therapies for inflammatory bowel diseases. Gastroenterology. 2009;136:1182.
- Enck P. Acupuncture treatment in gastrointestinal diseases: A systematic review. World Journal of Gastroenterology. 2007;13:3417.
- Picco MF (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla. July 20, 2009.
