The big trend to come out of the results shows that the number of people with Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis is rising.
Data from a study led by Dr Dominic King, from Sandwell and West Birmingham hospitals NHS trust and the University of Birmingham, has shown that the amount of people with Crohn’s and Colitis in the UK is approximately 700,000, contributing to the growing evidence that the figure is much higher than previously thought.
Our study suggests that the amount of people with Crohn’s and Colitis is likely to rise substantially over the next decade. Although the number of new cases each year hasn’t seen much of an increase, the reason for this overall rise is likely to be that people with Crohn’s and Colitis are living longer.
Our ageing population also means that there are a group of patients who are getting diagnosed in later life, contributing to the increased total amount of people with the conditions. Despite the huge number of people living with the conditions, too few people understand the devasting impact they can have.
Dr Dominic King,
Sandwell and West Birmingham hospitals NHS trust
For their study, Dr King and his team used the Health Improvement Network (THIN), a database of GP surgeries that includes information about their patients, such as diagnosis and medication they take.
As well as looking into the total number of people with Crohn’s and Colitis, the research team found that the number of new people diagnosed with conditions each year has remained quite similar.
The study looked at the period from 2000-2016 to find out this information.
We know that Crohn’s and Colitis rates are rising, with recent studies discovering dramatically higher numbers than 300,000, highlighting the sheer scale of the problem.
We are currently undertaking our own study looking into the amount of people with the conditions and will be announcing these results next year.
Dr King’s study is significant, but it’s also important to note that as the data has come from patient codes from GP practices, it could mean there has been some overestimation depending on how the GPs record information about their patients.
Helen Terry,
Director of Research, Crohn's & Colitis UK
Another study presented at UEGW, led by Professor Reza Malekzadeh and published in scientific journal The Lancet also looked at the amount of people with Crohn’s and Colitis, but this time on a global scale.
The study found that the number of people with Crohn’s and Colitis increased by 84%, from 3.7 million in 1990 to 6.8 million in 2017.
Both studies also looked at colorectal (bowel) cancer rates, with Professor Malekzadeh’s study finding that between 1990 and 2017, rates of bowel cancer increased 9.5% globally, but death rates decreased by 13.5%.
The researchers believe that this is due to the introduction of colorectal cancer screening programmes, leading to earlier detection and better outcomes.
Our study has found that the actual risk for people with Crohn’s or Colitis to get bowel cancer is slightly higher, which does fit in existing thinking. It is so important that people living with the conditions are engaged with their IBD teams and let them know about any changes in their symptoms.
Even though some people might find colonoscopies unpleasant, we really need those with the conditions to attend their screenings when they are offered, as earlier diagnosis can lead to better outcomes.
Dr Dominic King,
Sandwell and West Birmingham hospitals NHS trust
Dr King’s study specifically looked at the link between bowel cancer and Crohn’s and Colitis.
By comparing groups of people with Crohn’s and Colitis, and groups of people who had been matched by age, gender and GP practice, taking into account other factors such as smoking status, he found that the risk of colorectal cancer was slightly higher in people with Crohn’s and Colitis.
Earlier this year, data from the Office of National Statistics showed that people with bowel cancer would see the biggest increase in their chances of survival if they were diagnosed at an earlier stage, compared to other cancers.
Find out more about bowel cancer
