Table 1.
Demographic characteristics of the patients (n = 215) completing the survey
| Demographic characteristic | |
|---|---|
| Age, mean (SD), years | 41.1 (14.7) |
| Male, % | 59 |
| Family history of IBD, % | 39 |
| Age when first experienced symptoms, mean (SD), years | 32.7 (15.6) |
| Age at diagnosis, mean (SD), years | 34.6 (14.6) |
| Time between first symptoms and UC diagnosis, mean (SD), years | 1.9 (5.0) |
| Length of time since UC diagnosis, mean (SD), years | 6.5 (8.2) |
| Patients who self‐report remission,† % | 65 |
| Marital status, % | |
| Never married | 20 |
| Married or civil union | 61 |
| Divorced | 4 |
| Separated | 3 |
| Widow/widower | 2 |
| Living with partner | 10 |
| Employment status, % | |
| Employed or self‐employed | 75 |
| Retired | 11 |
| Stay at home spouse/partner | 5 |
| Unable to work due to a disability or illness | 4 |
| Student | 3 |
| Unemployed, seeking work | 1 |
| Unemployed, not seeking work | 1 |
| Highest level of education completed, % | |
| Year 11 or below | 8 |
| Year 12 | 10 |
| Certificate I or II | 3 |
| Certificate III or IV | 8 |
| Certificate not further defined | 5 |
| Diploma/advanced diploma | 15 |
| Bachelor's degree or above | 51 |
| Region, % | |
| Sydney | 18 |
| Other New South Wales | 16 |
| Melbourne | 23 |
| Other Victoria | 6 |
| Brisbane | 9 |
| Other Queensland | 8 |
| Adelaide | 7 |
| Other South Australia | 1 |
| Perth | 7 |
| Other Western Australia | ‡ |
| Hobart | 2 |
| Other Tasmania | 1 |
| Australian Capital Territory | 1 |
| Northern Territory | 0 |
†
Remission was defined as disease being controlled with few to no symptoms.
‡
Small base.
IBD, inflammatory bowel disease; UC, ulcerative colitis.