Arthritis & Ulcerative Colitis

Ever noticed your joints becoming achy during a flare-up? Some people with ulcerative colitis (UC) may experience separate symptoms in a variety of body systems, including the eyes, skin, joints and gastrointestinal organs such as the liver, pancreas, and gall bladder. Some of these symptoms may be related to disease activity, appearing at the same time as a flare-up. On rare occasions, the symptoms may even occur before the colitis flares.

Arthritis

The term arthritis refers to joint inflammation. Arthritis occurs in approximately 15% of people during a flare-up of UC, and most commonly affects the knees, ankles, and wrists. Symptoms may range from pain without swelling to a hot, swollen joint. They may migrate from one joint to another or remain in several joints at the same time. The inflammation does not cause permanent damage to the joints and resolves as the colitis goes into remission.

Sacroiliitis

Sacroiliitis is a form of arthritis that affects the lower spine. Arthritis of the spine can be unrelated to flare-ups. It may be diagnosed years before UC and persist even if the disease goes into remission or if the colon is removed. Some people with UC may complain of lower back pain and stiffness.

Ankylosing Spondylitis

In rare cases, sacroiliitis may be associated with another type of arthritis called ankylosing spondylitis. It affects 1-2% of all people with UC and affects men more often than women.¹ Symptoms include lower back pain, stiffness, and eventual restricted motion that may worsen over time.

Diagnosis of Sacroiliitis and Ankylosing Spondylitis

Both sacroiliitis and ankylosing spondylitis are diagnosed by X-ray and may be treated with anti-inflammatory medication and physical therapy. The cause is unknown, but people with UC and ankylosing spondylitis may have a specific genetic pattern that can be detected on a blood test.

Keep a diary to track any changes in your health – especially before and during times of flare-ups. Then talk to your doctor so that you can quickly identify any problems that may arise in the future.