Which of the following is a common clinical feature of ulcerative colitis?

Which of the following is a common clinical feature of ulcerative colitis?

• A. Bloody diarrhea
• B. Hypercalcemia
• C. Weight gain
• D. Hypertension

Answer: (A)

Bloody diarrhea is the hallmark of ulcerative colitis. The disease causes continuous inflammation and shallow ulcers in the colonic mucosa, starting in the rectum and extending proximally. This mucosal damage leads to frequent, urgent bowel movements with blood and mucus in the stool, often accompanied by crampy abdominal pain. While other features like weight loss can occur with active disease, hypercalcemia, hypertension, or weight gain are not typical presentations of ulcerative colitis. The presence of blood in stools during flares is the most characteristic and distinguishes UC from many other conditions.

Bloody diarrhea is the hallmark of ulcerative colitis. The disease causes continuous inflammation and shallow ulcers in the colonic mucosa, starting in the rectum and extending proximally. This mucosal damage leads to frequent, urgent bowel movements with blood and mucus in the stool, often accompanied by crampy abdominal pain. While other features like weight loss can occur with active disease, hypercalcemia, hypertension, or weight gain are not typical presentations of ulcerative colitis. The presence of blood in stools during flares is the most characteristic and distinguishes UC from many other conditions.