Incidences of bowel disease are increasing

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can severely affect a person’s quality of life and it is imperative that those with the condition are identified and treated, a meeting in Dublin has heard.

Consultant gastroenterologist Dr Deirdre O’Donovan works in the Blackrock Clinic and her particular areas of interest are IBD and functional bowel disease. Speaking on a number of new IBD developments at Blackrock Clinic’s recent GP educational meeting, Dr O’Donovan explained how the incidence of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis (UC) was increasing. Globally, the highest incidence is in Northern Europe and North America.

The incidence of Crohn’s is about six per 100,000 while the incidence of UC is about 11 per 100,000 (Ingle SB,Gastroenterology, 2007). 

The exact etiological factors and their relative contributions to disease are still debated, yet there is a definite genetic susceptibility. There are also significant environmental triggers, in particular a disregulated immune response to intestinal microflora.

It was important to identify those patients who would do well as outpatients and those who needed referral into hospital, Dr O’Donovan explained.

View full article here on Irish Medical Times