ABSTRACT
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disease of the colon characterized by high disability in the work-ing-age population. Data on the epidemiology of UC in Russia are limited. Objective. To study UC epidemiology over the last 5 years in Zabaykalsky Krai according to the regional register of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Material and methods. Since 2017, the outpatient department of the Krai Clinical Hospital has provided medical care for patients with IBD. Clinical and personal data of patients are recorded in a regional register. From January 2017 to June 2021, 110 patients with UC were included in the study. Quantitative parameters are presented as median and interquartile interval: Me (25%;75%). In the statistical analysis, the nominal data were described with percentages. Statistical analysis of the significance of differences in annual incidence was performed using Pearson’s criterion (χ2). Results. The median age of UC patients at the time of analysis was 45 (43.1;48.8) years, and the age of disease onset was 35 (28.5;45.0) years and was independent of gender (p>0.05). The prevalence of mild types over moderate and severe ones was detected: 44%, 28%, and 24%, respectively. Proctitis accounted for 43%, and left-sided and total colitis 31% and 26%, respectively. Ex-traintestinal manifestations occurred in 15% of cases. Fifteen percent of patients were treated with genetically engineered biolog-ical therapies. Indications for surgical treatment were reported in 7.3% of patients. The incidence rate of UC in 2019 was significantly higher than in 2017 (OR 2.1;95% CI 1.205—3.820;p=0.008). Due to the decrease in visits in 2020, the value of this parameter decreased by more than 3.6 times compared to that in 2019 (OR 3.6;95% CI 1.776—7.213;p=0.001). Conclusion. Establishment of the office for medical care of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases and maintaining the register allowed to obtain epidemiological data on ulcerative colitis in Zabaykalsky Krai that are consistent with the results of domes-tic and foreign studies. The COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on the frequency of detection of ulcerative colitis in Zabaykalsky Krai in 2020.