Pharmaceutical Business review

HCPs underestimate effect of specific ulcerative colitis symptoms on patients, survey says

The international study, which involved 775 patients with UC and 525 HCPs, in UC compared the views and beliefs of patients, physicians and specialist nurses.

The survey, which was conducted across France, Germany, Ireland, Spain and the UK and Canada, showed that patients reported almost six flare ups in the previous year while physicians and nurses reported almost four.

Physicians and nurses rated urgency and stool frequency as the most troublesome symptom while patients ranked pain the highest.

72% patients considered HCPs as major source of UC information while 59% reported no regular visits to HCPs.

Hospital ClĂ­nic Barcelona, Spain, gastroenterology department professor and one of the survey leads Julian Panes said the patient would be more able to recognise the symptoms of active disease and participate in the selection of diagnostic and therapeutic options, which would contribute to more personalised management.

"The findings therefore add to a growing body of evidence, which indicates that improved communication between patients and HCPs is fundamental to the successful management of ulcerative colitis," Panes added.