Chronic Inflammatory Bowel Diseases on the Rise Worldwide

Chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are on the rise worldwide. While the incidence remains stable in industrialized countries, it is significantly increasing in emerging and developing countries. Causes include, among other things, changed lifestyles and environmental factors.

Regional Differences

In North America and Western Europe, the prevalence of IBD is high but stable. In Asia, Africa, and South America, however, studies report a significant increase in new cases. In 2019, approximately 405,000 new cases of IBD were registered worldwide. The number of deaths was around 41,000.

Causes and Risk Factors

The exact causes for the increase in IBD are not fully understood. However, experts suspect that factors such as diet, environmental pollution, and changed hygiene conditions play a role. Additionally, genetic predispositions and the gut microbiome may have an influence.

Significance for Healthcare

The increasing number of IBD patients poses challenges for healthcare systems worldwide. In addition to medical care, prevention and education are important aspects in dealing with these diseases.