The Ulcerative Colitis Flare Assessment
When your
ulcerative colitis (UC) is in
remission, you should have no ulcerative colitis symptoms. Yet the
majority of patients in one study (58%) indicated that, for them, remission meant
living with ulcerative colitis symptoms.
If you are living with UC symptoms, then it may be time to redefine how you think
about remission—and to re-evaluate your treatment plan. Start by taking a quick
self-assessment and sharing the results with your doctor. Once you identify the
symptoms of your UC
flare, you can work with your doctor to find a treatment option that can
help you get to remission. It’s just 5 simple questions.
The Ulcerative Colitis Flare Assessment is designed for people already diagnosed
with ulcerative colitis (UC). Only your doctor can make a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis
or assess if you are experiencing a flare. UC is a chronic condition with
no known cure. Even if your score indicates you may not be experiencing a flare, it does
not mean you no longer have UC.
If you have ulcerative colitis, you should work with your doctor to choose an appropriate
treatment option. Always make sure to follow your doctor's instructions and take
any medicine as your doctor prescribes.
About the assessment
The Ulcerative Colitis Flare Assessment Tool was developed to help people living with ulcerative colitis determine if they are experiencing
symptoms indicating an ulcerative colitis flare. It was also designed to encourage
them to have a conversation with their doctor about their experience with UC.
The Flare Assessment Tool is based on research conducted with patients already diagnosed
with ulcerative colitis. It is adapted from the Simple Clinical Colitis Activity
Index (SCCAI).
The content provided in this self-assessment is for informational purposes only
and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Only a health care professional
can determine if a person is experiencing a flare related to UC.
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Your answers
How many times do you go to the bathroom (for a bowel movement) during the day?
Your answer: 1-3 times
At night, how many times do you wake up to go to the bathroom to have a bowel movement?
Your answer: Never or rarely
How urgently do you need to get to a bathroom for a bowel movement?
Your answer: Never an urgent need for me
How much blood do you usually see in your stool?
Your answer: None
How would you describe how you generally feel in regard to your ulcerative colitis?
Your answer: Very well
How to interpret flare activity scores
Scores on this assessment range from zero to a maximum of 15 points.
People with a total score of 5 points or higher are probably
experiencing a flare of their ulcerative colitis symptoms.
People with a total score of 1-4 points may be experiencing a
flare of their ulcerative colitis symptoms
People who scored 1-4 points on question 5 and 0 points on questions 1-4 may
not be experiencing a flare of their ulcerative colitis symptoms but
should talk with their doctor about their overall health.
People with a total score of 0 points may consider their UC symptoms in remission.
Only your doctor can determine if you are experiencing a UC flare.
About the assessment
The Ulcerative Colitis Flare Assessment Tool was developed
to help people living with ulcerative colitis determine if they are experiencing
symptoms indicating an ulcerative colitis flare. It was also designed to encourage
them to have a conversation with their doctor about their experience with UC.
The Flare Assessment Tool is based on research conducted with patients already diagnosed
with ulcerative colitis. It is adapted from the Simple Clinical Colitis Activity
Index (SCCAI).
The content provided in this self-assessment is for informational purposes only
and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Only a health care professional
can determine if a person is experiencing a flare related to UC.
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Rethinking remission
Remission is about more than symptom control. Doctors realize that if inflammation
in your colon is ongoing, symptoms may return. However, when inflammation is reduced,
you may see a reduction in symptoms.
Relief of symptoms and healing of the colon lining by reducing inflammation
are both considered goals of UC treatment, according to the American
Gastroenterological Association Guidelines.
About Lialda® (mesalamine)
Lialda is the first and only once-daily oral mesalamine proven to control symptoms
and begin to heal the lining of the colon by reducing inflammation.
As with all medications, Lialda may not be effective for everyone. In clinical trials, people taking Lialda who achieved remission had:
- No rectal bleeding
- Significant decrease in trips to the bathroom
- Reduced inflammation in the lining of the colon
Lialda is approved for the induction of remission in patients with active, mild
to moderate ulcerative colitis. The safety and effectiveness of Lialda have been
established in 2 eight-week clinical trials.
Find out more about Lialda at Lialda.com.
Important Safety Information
You should not take Lialda if you are allergic to salicylates (including mesalamine
or aspirin) or to any of the ingredients of Lialda. Tell your doctor if you have
a stomach blockage or are allergic to sulfasalazine. Mesalamine has been associated
with a syndrome that may be difficult to distinguish from an ulcerative colitis
flare-up. If you experience cramping, abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, fever, headache,
or rash, talk to your doctor immediately. Some patients taking mesalamine have reported
heart-related hypersensitivity reactions, such as inflammation of the heart muscle
and inflammation of the lining of the heart. Tell your doctor if you have problems
with your liver or kidneys.
In worldwide clinical trials, Lialda was generally well tolerated. The most common
adverse events were headache and flatulence. As with other medications, some serious
side effects may occur. Less than 1% of patients experienced inflammation of the
pancreas, which led to discontinuation of therapy with Lialda.
Full Prescribing Information is available at Lialda.com
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Lialda® is a registered trademark of Shire LLC. MMX®
is a registered trademark owned by Cosmo Technologies Ltd, Ireland, a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Cosmo Pharmaceuticals SpA.
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© 2009 Shire US Inc., Wayne, PA 19087
LIA-00716 08/09
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For each question, choose the answer that best describes your symptoms. When you
are finished answering the questions, click "Get My Score" to see
your results.
- How many times do you go to the bathroom (for a bowel movement) during the day?
- At night, how many times do you wake up to go to the bathroom to have a bowel movement?
- How urgently do you need to get to a bathroom for a bowel movement?
- How much blood do you usually see in your stool?
- How would you describe how you generally feel in regard to your ulcerative colitis
(UC)?
Scores on this assessment range from zero to a maximum of 15 points.
A score of 5 or higher indicates that your UC symptoms may not be in control, which
means it is possible you are having a flare. However, only your doctor can determine
if you are experiencing a flare related to your UC.
It is very important to discuss your symptoms with your doctor, so he or she can
determine the best way to help you control the flare.
By taking this self-assessment, you've taken a great first step to better understand
your UC symptoms. Take the next step by printing out your results and discussing
them with your doctor.
If you are not happy with how your current medication is controlling your ulcerative
colitis symptoms, you can always ask your doctor if there's another treatment option
that may be right for you.
A score of 1-4 points indicates you may currently have symptoms related to an ulcerative
colitis (UC) flare. However, only your doctor can determine if you are actually
experiencing a flare related to your UC.
By taking this self-assessment, you've taken a great first step to better understand
your UC symptoms. Take the next step by printing out your results and discussing
them with your doctor.
If you are not happy with how your current medication is controlling your ulcerative
colitis symptoms, you can always ask your doctor if there's another treatment option
that may be right for you.
A score of 0 on questions 1-4, and a score of 0
on question 5 (How would you describe how you generally feel in regard to your ulcerative
colitis?) indicates you may not be currently experiencing a flare, but you may have
some general concerns about your health. It is very important to share these concerns
with your doctor.
If you are not happy with how your current medication is controlling your ulcerative
colitis symptoms, you can always ask your doctor if there's another treatment option
that may be right for you.
A score of 0 indicates you are not likely
experiencing a flare, but only your doctor will know for certain. This is why you
should always talk to your doctor about any concerns related to your ulcerative
colitis (UC). If you are taking medicine to manage your UC symptoms, continue to
take it as your doctor prescribes.
