Inflammatory bowel disease is three times more prevalent in the U.K. than past estimates suggested, according to research presented at UEG Week Barcelona 2019, Oct. 19-23.
Researchers examined IBD cases from 2000-2017, using data from the Health Improvement Network to quantify disease prevalence.
What they found:
1. Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease rates increased by 55 percent and 83 percent, respectively, from 2000 to 2017.
2. IBD is expected to continue increasing by up to 25 percent from 2017 to 2025.
3. Today, IBD affects more than 3 million people in Europe.
U.K.-based researcher Dominic King said: "Our study suggests that IBD prevalence is likely to rise substantially over the next decade. As there is currently no known cure for IBD, patients will often need complex and costly treatments throughout their lives. This predicted rise in prevalence may place an even greater strain on already overburdened healthcare systems."