Psychiatric factors in ulcerative colitis.

Controlled study on 20 patients of ulcerative colitis was conducted at Gastroenterology Department of Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad. It has been observed that in three fourth of the cases, age of onset is before 40 years; & male, female ratio 4:1. No significant trend emerged in marital status, type of family, birth order, dietary habit and parental profile. The disease is common in lower socio-economic status. Ulcerative colitis patients are particularly exposed to stressful life situations and more prone to develop illness.