The prevalence and demographics of Ulcerative Colitis (UC) in North America

The following is a summary of the prevalence and demographics of Ulcerative Colitis (UC) in North America, based on the provided search results:

Prevalence:

• Approximately 750,000 to 1.9 million people in the United States are estimated to be living with Ulcerative Colitis.
• One study estimated that 3.1 million US adults (1.3%) had been diagnosed with IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease), which includes UC.
• Prevalence estimates for UC in North America range from 139.8 to 286.3 per 100,000 persons.
• In Canada, the prevalence estimate was around 139.8 per 100,000 in Quebec.
• The prevalence of IBD (including UC) exceeds 0.3% in North America.

Incidence:

• The incidence of UC in North America is estimated at 10-12 cases per 100,000 people per year, with some sources citing a range of 7.3 to 30.2 per 100,000 person-years.
• Peak incidence of UC typically occurs between the ages of 15 and 35 years, with a possible smaller second peak between 50 and 70 years.
• Incidence rates can vary geographically within North America, with higher rates observed in northern locations compared to southern locations in the United States. The lowest incidence estimate was 8.8 per 100,000 person-years (Olmsted County, USA) and the highest was 23.14 per 100,000 person-years (Nova Scotia, Canada).

Demographics and Risk Factors:

• Race and Ethnicity: UC is more common in Caucasians and people of Ashkenazi Jewish descent compared to other ethnic groups like African Americans, Asians, and Hispanics, although these gaps may be closing.
• Age: Most people are diagnosed between 15 and 35 years old, but it can occur at any age, including in older adults (50-70) and rarely in young children.
• Gender: Historically, some studies suggested a slight male predilection, but more recent data indicates that UC affects males and females roughly equally, although men might be diagnosed later in life.
• Family History: Individuals with a first-degree relative (parent, sibling, or child) with UC have a 4 to 30 times higher risk of developing the disease. About 10-25% of people with UC have a family history of IBD.
• Smoking: Interestingly, non-smokers and former smokers have a higher risk of developing UC compared to current smokers. Smokers who do develop UC tend to have milder disease.
• Geography: UC appears to be more common in urban areas and in people with white-collar jobs. Higher prevalence is also noted in northern latitudes.
• Other Factors: Lower income and less education have been associated with a higher occurrence of IBD in some studies. Changes in the gut microbiome and certain environmental factors are also being investigated.

In summary, North America, particularly the US and Canada, has a relatively high prevalence and incidence of Ulcerative Colitis. While it can affect anyone, it is more common in certain demographic groups, and genetic predisposition and environmental factors are believed to play a role.

Ulcerative Colitis,Whitney D. Lynch; Ronald Hsu., Last Update: June 5, 2023.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459282/

MedlinePlus, Ulcerative colitis; https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/ulcerative-colitis/

Inflammatory Bowel Disease Prevalence: Surveillance data from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, Michael H Weisman⁎, Oleg Stens, Hyun Seok Kim, Jason K Hou, Frederick W Miller, Charles F Dillon: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10201824/

Ulcerative Colitis, Gary R. Lichtenstein, MD, FACP, FACG, AGA; Robert B Stein, MD: https://www.healio.com/clinical-guidance/ulcerative-colitis/epidemiology-overview

IBD Facts and Stats: https://www.cdc.gov/inflammatory-bowel-disease/php/facts-stats/index.html

THE FACTS ABOUT Inflammatory Bowel  Diseases, Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America: https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/sites/default/files/2019-02/Updated%20IBD%20Factbook.pdf