The number of people in the UK suffering from inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) is three times higher than previously estimated, according to a new research presented at the United European Gastroenterology (UEG) conference in Barcelona, Spain.
Researchers from Sandwell and West Birmingham hospitals NHS trust and the University of Birmingham carried out retrospective cohort studies and cross-sectional studies between 2000 and 2016 using data from The Health Improvement Network (THIN) database.
They identified 16,765 incident cases of Crohn’s disease (CD) and 24,410 incident cases of ulcerative colitis (UC) among 8,767,641 subjects aged ≥18 years, totalling more than 61 million person-years (PYs) at risk.
The incidence rate (IR) of CD was 16.3 per 100,000 PYs and was 30 per cent higher in females (P<.001). Overall, CD incidence fell by 3 per cent over the study period, falling by 4 per cent in those over 60 years (both P<.001).
The IR of UC was 25.9 per 100,000 PYs. Females had a 6 per cent lower incidence (P<.001). Compared to 18-30-year-olds, older age categories had a lower rate of UC when adjusted for sex and year. Overall, UC incidence fell by 4 per cent (P<.001) between 2000 and 2016. In those aged over 60 years, IR fell by 6 per cent over the study period but was stable in those aged under 60 years.
Point prevalence of CD increased from 218 to 414 per 100,000 population between 2000 and 2016. In 2016, prevalence was 460 and 370 for females and males, respectively.
UC prevalence rose from 380 to 640 per 100,000, with a prevalence of 630 and 640 in females and males, respectively, in 2016.
The adjusted incidence rate ratio of colorectal cancer was 26 per cent higher in CD patients than in matched controls and was 48 per cent higher in those with UC.
