The influence of socio-demographic and clinical factors on the process of acceptance of the disease among patients with ulcerative colitis

Introduction: Ulcerative colitis (UC) belongs to the group of inflammatory bowel diseases of previously unknown etiology. Although UC may occur at any age, the peak of incidence falls between the ages of 20 and 40 and over 65. It is characterized by alternating periods of remission and exacerbations that hinder the daily functioning of patients. The aim: The aim of the study was to determine the degree of acceptance of the disease among WZJG patients, depending on selected socio-demographic and clinical variables. Material and methods: The study was conducted on a group of 50 patients with confirmed UC, treated at the General and Colorectal Surgery Clinic of the Medical University in Lodz, and under the care of a specialist Gastroenterological Outpatient Clinic at the University Hospital No. 1 in Lodz. The study was conducted using the own structure questionnaire and the Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS). Results: Young people predominated in the study group. The average age of respondents was 38,82. Analysis of the results showed a reduced degree of acceptance of the disease among patients in the phase of exacerbation of the disease. The mean point score of the AIS scale for the study group was 29,65, which indicates the average level of acceptance of the disease among respondents. Conclusions: People with higher education, professionally active and treated conservatively, accepted their illness to a better extent. The influence of having offspring on better adaptation to the disease has not been demonstrated.