United European Gastroenterol J. 2022 Dec;10(10):1113-1120.doi: 10.1002/ueg2.12317. Epub 2022 Oct 17.

Manasi Agrawal ^1 2, Tine Jess ^1 3

Author information

¹Department of Clinical Medicine, Center for Molecular Prediction of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (PREDICT), Aalborg University, Copenhagen, Denmark.

²The Dr. Henry D. Janowitz Division of Gastroenterology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.

³Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark.

Abstract

The epidemiology of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has undergone considerable shifts since its emergence in the Western world over a century ago, especially in the last few decades, with increasing global burden of disease. IBD incidence continues to rise in developed countries in all age groups which is contributing to compounding prevalence. Further, IBD incidence is rising sharply in Asia and other recently developed and developing countries. In this review, we discuss the implications of changing trends of IBD epidemiology. First, changing patterns provide insights into IBD causes, as they occur concurrent with shifts in the environment, cultures, and attitudes. Understanding the impact of the environment on IBD risk can help towards prediction and prevention strategies. Second, we must prepare healthcare systems for the rising burden of IBD and address it at various levels towards improving outcomes and health, overall.