Can ulcerative colitis affect other parts of the body ?
Ulcerative Colitis can cause problems outside the gut. Some people with UC get other conditions,
mainly affecting the joints, eyes and skin. These often occur during active disease, but
they can develop before any signs of bowel disease or during times of remission. UC can also
affect the bones, mouth, kidneys, liver, and blood circulation.
• Joints
Inflammation of the joints, which we know as arthritis, is the most common of the other conditions
related to UC and affects about one out of 10 people with UC. Research has shown that
you are more likely to get joint problems if you have more extensive disease, if you smoke or if
you have had your appendix removed.
Inflammation usually affects the large joints of the arms and legs, including the elbows, wrists,
knees and ankles. Fluid collects in the joint space causing painful swelling, though there can be
pain without obvious swelling. A few people develop swelling and pain in the joints of the hands
or feet, similar to that caused by rheumatoid arthritis. Symptoms usually improve with treatment
for intestinal symptoms, and there is generally no lasting damage to the joints.
More rarely, there may be inflammation of the joints in the spine and pelvis – a condition called
ankylosing spondylitis. Symptoms from this condition are not usually related to a flare-up of UC
and may develop many years before or after bowel symptoms occur. The most common problem
is the pain over the sacro-iliac joints, which are on either side of the lower part of the spine.
Stiffness and pain in the spine itself may eventually lead to loss of movement.
• Skin
UC can also cause skin problems. The more common skin problem seen in UC is erythema
nodosum. This condition causes painful red swellings, usually on the legs, which then fade, leaving
bruises. It tends to occur during flare-ups of UC and generally improves when the bowel is treated.
Less commonly, a condition called pyoderma gangrenosum starts as small tender blisters, which
become painful, deep ulcers. These usually appear on the lower leg near the ankle, but they can
occur in any area of the skin or around a stoma. The condition is not usually related to active
bowel inflammation.
• Eyes
Eye problems are less common. A condition called episcleritis affects the white of the eye, which
becomes red, sore and inflamed. A more serious condition, called uveitis, affects the iris. Both
conditions usually occur when UC is active and can be treated with steroid drops given into the
eye. If you get any kind of eye irritation or inflammation, always mention it to your doctor, who
may refer you to an eye specialist.
• Bones
People with UC may be more at risk of developing weakened bones. Bone loss is not caused by
UC itself, but can develop if you use steroid medication or avoid dairy foods. See our Information
Sheet: The Bones and IBD.
• Mouth
About one out of 10 people with UC get painful sores in the mouth usually when the condition is
more active. These sores are like the mouth ulcers that are common in the general population.
However, unlike the common mouth ulcers which usually last a few days and appear one at a
time, the mouth sores associated with UC may last for many days, even a few weeks, often in a
mass and may be unusually large.
Liver
A condition called Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) affects about one out of 20 people with
UC. PSC is a rare disease that causes inflammation of the bile ducts and can eventually affect
the liver. Treatment is usually with ursodeoxycholic acid.
Kidneys
There is a risk of developing kidney stones if you have loose stools and do not drink enough liquid.
Veins
People with UC are at increased risk of forming clots in the veins, usually in the legs, which can
cause pain and swelling. You are about three times more at risk if you are in hospital, due to
lack of movement, but you may also be at risk at any time when your UC is active. If you get
these symptoms or develop chest pain or shortness of breath you should see a doctor
straight away. You can reduce the risk by not smoking, and by keeping as mobile as possible,
drinking plenty of fluids and wearing support stockings. This is particularly important when
travelling by air, which increases the risk of blood clots for anyone. See our information sheet:
Travel and IBD.
Ulcerative Colitis can cause problems outside the gut. Some people with UC get other conditions,
mainly affecting the joints, eyes and skin. These often occur during active disease, but
they can develop before any signs of bowel disease or during times of remission. UC can also
affect the bones, mouth, kidneys, liver, and blood circulation.
• Joints
Inflammation of the joints, which we know as arthritis, is the most common of the other conditions
related to UC and affects about one out of 10 people with UC. Research has shown that
you are more likely to get joint problems if you have more extensive disease, if you smoke or if
you have had your appendix removed.
Inflammation usually affects the large joints of the arms and legs, including the elbows, wrists,
knees and ankles. Fluid collects in the joint space causing painful swelling, though there can be
pain without obvious swelling. A few people develop swelling and pain in the joints of the hands
or feet, similar to that caused by rheumatoid arthritis. Symptoms usually improve with treatment
for intestinal symptoms, and there is generally no lasting damage to the joints.
More rarely, there may be inflammation of the joints in the spine and pelvis – a condition called
ankylosing spondylitis. Symptoms from this condition are not usually related to a flare-up of UC
and may develop many years before or after bowel symptoms occur. The most common problem
is the pain over the sacro-iliac joints, which are on either side of the lower part of the spine.
Stiffness and pain in the spine itself may eventually lead to loss of movement.
• Skin
UC can also cause skin problems. The more common skin problem seen in UC is erythema
nodosum. This condition causes painful red swellings, usually on the legs, which then fade, leaving
bruises. It tends to occur during flare-ups of UC and generally improves when the bowel is treated.
Less commonly, a condition called pyoderma gangrenosum starts as small tender blisters, which
become painful, deep ulcers. These usually appear on the lower leg near the ankle, but they can
occur in any area of the skin or around a stoma. The condition is not usually related to active
bowel inflammation.
• Eyes
Eye problems are less common. A condition called episcleritis affects the white of the eye, which
becomes red, sore and inflamed. A more serious condition, called uveitis, affects the iris. Both
conditions usually occur when UC is active and can be treated with steroid drops given into the
eye. If you get any kind of eye irritation or inflammation, always mention it to your doctor, who
may refer you to an eye specialist.
• Bones
People with UC may be more at risk of developing weakened bones. Bone loss is not caused by
UC itself, but can develop if you use steroid medication or avoid dairy foods. See our Information
Sheet: The Bones and IBD.
• Mouth
About one out of 10 people with UC get painful sores in the mouth usually when the condition is
more active. These sores are like the mouth ulcers that are common in the general population.
However, unlike the common mouth ulcers which usually last a few days and appear one at a
time, the mouth sores associated with UC may last for many days, even a few weeks, often in a
mass and may be unusually large.
Liver
A condition called Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) affects about one out of 20 people with
UC. PSC is a rare disease that causes inflammation of the bile ducts and can eventually affect
the liver. Treatment is usually with ursodeoxycholic acid.
Kidneys
There is a risk of developing kidney stones if you have loose stools and do not drink enough liquid.
Veins
People with UC are at increased risk of forming clots in the veins, usually in the legs, which can
cause pain and swelling. You are about three times more at risk if you are in hospital, due to
lack of movement, but you may also be at risk at any time when your UC is active. If you get
these symptoms or develop chest pain or shortness of breath you should see a doctor
straight away. You can reduce the risk by not smoking, and by keeping as mobile as possible,
drinking plenty of fluids and wearing support stockings. This is particularly important when
travelling by air, which increases the risk of blood clots for anyone. See our information sheet:
Travel and IBD.
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