Rising tide of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in India

Once called disease of the West, cases of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) are rising at a rapid rate in the country, driven by factors including lifestyle changes and early antibiotic use. Experts highlight challenges in distinguishing the condition, significance of awareness and early diagnosis to arrest its spread.

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In recent years, India has witnessed a worrying surge in cases of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract that includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Previously considered uncommon in the country, IBD is increasingly being diagnosed in urban and semi-urban populations, signaling a shift in the disease’s epidemiology.

A 2023 study conducted by the IBD Center of the Asian Institute of Gastroenterology (AIG) in Hyderabad revealed that the prevalence of IBD in the region has risen from 0.1% in 2006 to over 5% in 2022, a significant increase from previous years. The study also highlighted that the prevalence of IBD is consistent across both urban and rural populations, suggesting that factors beyond urbanization may be contributing to the rise.

According to projections from recent epidemiological studies, India could see its IBD patient population quadruple within the next decade, reaching over two million cases by 2035. Experts attribute this rise to changes in lifestyle, diet, and environment.

Highlighting the impact of rapid urbanization on disease prevalence,