Table 3 Descriptions of symptoms during a UC flare reported in at least 50% of participants
Symptom | Descriptive terms | Impact on daily life |
|---|---|---|
Urgent bowel movements | “Loss of control”, “need to go”, “sudden urge”, “urge to find bathroom in 10 to 15 s”, and “urgency to go to bathroom” | Inability to work; feeling that life was limited; being hospitalized; social impacts; limitations on clothing; feeling uncomfortable; dietary restrictions; and always needing to be near a bathroom |
Abdominal pain | Pain described as “cramping/cramps”, “severe abdominal pain/abdominal pain”, “not a lot of pain”, and “stomach pain” | Inability to work, do usual activities, leave home, or go to school/sports practice; being cranky/not social; dietary restriction; difficulty sleeping; and psychological impacts |
Frequent bowel movements | “10–15 times a day”, “12–25 times a day”, “15–20 times a day”, “30 times a day”, “a lot more often than normal”, “going to the restroom more frequently”, and “when it’s urgent, it’s frequent” | Inability to leave home; needing to be near a bathroom; inability to eat; and having to wake up early to let body calm down |
Bloody stools | “Bleeding”, “blood in stools”, “rectal bleeding”, and “blood and mucus mixed together” | Psychological impacts; inability to leave home; feeling sick and nauseated; being unable to sit in a chair; and it is life-consuming |
Diarrhea/watery stools | “Diarrhea”, “completely water”, “constant diarrhea”, “chronic diarrhea”, and “prolonged periods of diarrhea” | Feeling uncomfortable; inability to leave home; and being scared to go anywhere |
Nausea | “Nausea” and “nausea all the time” | Not wanting to do anything and always having to carry mints |