Symptom frequencies at presentation in Crohn’s, UC and grouped non-IBD diagnoses (n=711)
| Crohn’s (n=199) | UC (n=207) | Non-IBD (n=305) | ||
| % (n of responses +ve) | % (n of responses +ve) | % (n of responses +ve) | χ2 p value | |
| Symptom duration >1 m | 97% (193/199) | 92% (190/207) | 89% (279/305) | Global: 0.007 |
| CD vs UC: 0.005 | ||||
| Gastrointestinal symptoms | ||||
| Looser stools | 84% (167/199) | 81% (169/207) | 74% (212/305) | Global: 0.01 |
| CD vs UC: 0.53 | ||||
| Nocturnal bowel opening | 37% (72/194) | 46% (91/197) | 27% (81/303) | Global: <0.001 |
| CD vs UC: 0.06 | ||||
| Faecal urgency | 63% (126/199) | 82% (170/207) | 55% (167/305) | Global: <0.001 |
| CD vs UC: <0.001 | ||||
| Faecal incontinence | 10% (20/199) | 12% (24/207) | 7% (22/305) | Global: 0.22 |
| CD vs UC: 0.61 | ||||
| Constipation | 23% (45/199) | 17% (35/207) | 34% (104/305) | Global: <0.001 |
| CD vs UC: 0.16 | ||||
| PR blood (any type) | 55% (110/199) | 94% (194/207) | 49% (149/305) | Global: <0.001 |
| CD vs UC: <0.001 | ||||
| Type of PR blood | ||||
| Anorectal | 23% (45/199) | 44% (90/207) | 38% (117/305) | |
| Mixed | 33% (65/199) | 50% (104/207) | 11% (32/305) | Global: <0.001 |
| None | 45% (89/199) | 6% (13/207) | 51% (156/305) | CD vs UC: <0.001 |
| PR mucous | 16% (32/198) | 37% (77/206) | 28% (86/304) | Global: <0.001 |
| CD vs UC: <0.001 | ||||
| Abdominal pain | 84% (168/199) | 68% (141/206) | 87% (266/305) | Global: <0.001 |
| CD vs UC: <0.001 | ||||
| Extra-intestinal symptoms | ||||
| Joint pain | 27% (54/197) | 18% (36/203) | 21% (65/305) | Global: 0.06 |
| CD vs UC: 0.02 | ||||
| Fatigue | 79% (155/196) | 63% (126/201) | 50% (151/300) | Global: <0.001 |
| CD vs UC: <0.001 | ||||
| Weight loss | 53% (104/198) | 36% (75/207) | 23% (69/305) | Global: <0.001 |
| CD vs UC: 0.001 | ||||
| Constitutional symptoms | 10% (19/198) | 6% (13/206) | 9% (27/305) | Global: 0.44 |
| CD vs UC: 0.23 | ||||
| Mouth ulcers | 16% (31/197) | 11% (23/204) | 10% (31/304) | Global: 0.16 |
| CD vs UC: 0.20 | ||||
| Risk factors | ||||
| Smoking status | ||||
| Current | 21% (41/199) | 7% (14/204) | 20% (61/304) | |
| Ex | 18% (36/199) | 27% (55/204) | 16% (47/304) | Global: <0.001 |
| Never | 61% (122/199) | 66% (135/204) | 64% (196/304) | CD vs UC<0.001 |
| Family history of IBD | 26% (52/197) | 15% (30/202) | 13% (40/301) | Global: <0.001 |
| CD vs UC 0.005 | ||||
χ2 p value presented for global differences and variation between IBD subtypes.
CD, Crohn’s disease; IBD, inflammatory bowel disease; PR, per rectal; UC, ulcerative colitis.