Friday, 25 March 2022
New research, led by experts at the University of Nottingham, shows that the number of people in the UK living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) - the two main forms of which are Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis - has been vastly underestimated for years, and the rates are growing. [1]
Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis are both serious, life-long conditions that involve inflammation of the gut. They can cause debilitating pain and can have a huge impact on people's mental wellbeing due to the impact of their symptoms. Patients can also be at higher risk of bowel cancer and up to 80% of people with Crohn’s Disease and 15% of those with Ulcerative Colitis will need to have surgery at some point in their lives. There is no known cure for either condition. [2] [3]
The research, which was carried out by scientists at the University of Nottingham and funded by Crohn’s & Colitis UK and Coeliac UK, shows that the prevalence of Crohn’s and Colitis in the UK population is far higher than previously thought. The study shows there are over half a million people (1 in every 123) in the country living with inflammatory bowel disease, nearly double that of the 300,000 previously estimated, raising concerns about the capacity of the health service to provide the required care for thousands of people.
The research is the largest of its kind worldwide and measured the incidence (the diagnosis of new cases) and prevalence (the number of cases in the population in 2020) of Crohn’s and Colitis over the last 20 years. It gives the best picture so far of the scale of the problem across the country. [4]
Researchers analysed the health care records of 38.3 million people registered with GPs as part of a UK-wide study. It found that 0.81% of the population or one in every 123 people are living with Crohn’s or Colitis, increasing to one in every 67 for people in their 70s. Globally, this research puts the UK as second only to the US in terms of percentage of the population living with the condition and the problem is set to grow. [5]
Symptoms of Crohn's and Colitis include urgent and frequent diarrhoea (often with blood), abdominal pain, fatigue, and associated anxiety and depression. [6]
The causes of the conditions are unknown and some patients wait years to receive a diagnosis, meaning their symptoms could worsen and they potentially miss out on important treatment and care.[7]
People receiving treatment for Crohn’s or Colitis need specialist care and support from nurse specialists, dietitians and psychologists to help them manage the impact of their condition. Currently, and in part due to the underestimated prevalence, the health service is not equipped to manage this care adequately in any of the four nations.
IBD is unlikely to have reached its peak in the UK. This research estimates that the number of people living with the condition has grown to approximately half a million. It is a lifelong condition so it’s highly likely that the prevalence will continue to increase as the population ages. The associated complications, burden on individuals, capabilities of the healthcare system and other societal impacts of this all require serious consideration.”
Sarah Sleet, CEO at Crohn’s & Colitis UK and Chair of IBD UK said: “This study shows that there are nearly twice as many people living with Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis in the UK than previously thought, yet outdated figures mean the scale of the issue has been overlooked for too long. Lifetime costs for the NHS for treating these conditions are comparable to heart disease and cancer. They can have a profound impact on a person's life and patients need expert care from doctors, specialist nurses, dietitians, pharmacists and psychologists.
“It's crucial that the NHS recognises the scale of the growing numbers with Crohn’s and Colitis and does more to prevent lives being blighted for decades by these debilitating illnesses.”
Evelyn, 66 from Dorset said: “I had symptoms for over 3 years before I received my diagnosis. I was suffering pain, weight loss, sickness, and had been admitted to hospital several times. Yet doctors told me that it was psychosomatic and I wasn’t believed. I’ve now been living with Crohn’s for over 40 years, having tried years of different medications and had two bowel resections. It’s something you learn to live with, but even on good days I have near constant fatigue, frequent pain, and always have to think about where the nearest toilet is. The impact it has on your life is huge”.
The research found that the prevalence of Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis was lower in London compared to the rest of the UK and highest in Scotland. This could be due to a younger, urban population in London. The prevalence was also lower in more socioeconomically deprived areas and higher in people who declared their ethnicity as white compared with all other ethnicity groups. Researchers say this may have been due to lifestyle factors, although barriers to diagnosis likely account for most differences between groups, such as differences in awareness of the condition, suggesting a need for increased understanding of these barriers and public awareness of the conditions.[8]
Dr Tata added: “We need continued research to understand why we’re seeing inequalities in diagnosis.”
Dr Christian Selinger, Chair of the IBD Committee at the British Society of Gastroenterology, said:
“We have seen our workload in IBD increase over the years. The service is under strain as we have more patients and not enough staff. In terms of going forwards, we need to make a clear plea for investment in IBD services and the NHS, in order to deliver a high quality of care to patients and provide a better service.”
Story credits
[1] This research estimates that the number of people living with the condition has grown to over 540,000.
[2] https://www.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/about-crohns-and-colitis/publications/surgery-for-crohns-disease
[3] https://www.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/about-crohns-and-colitis/publications/surgery-for-ulcerative-colitis
[4] The study was based on health care records from 38.3 million people registered with GPs in the UK - a larger source of patient information than any previous research in this area.
[5] Globally, this puts the UK as second only to the US in percentage of the population living with the conditions, although lack of similar research elsewhere in the world may be hiding high numbers in other countries.
[6] https://www.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/about-crohns-and-colitis/publications/crohns-disease https://www.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/about-crohns-and-colitis/publications/ulcerative-colitis
[7] https://academic.oup.com/ecco-jcc/article-abstract/15/2/203/5871943?redirectedFrom=fulltext
[8] Prevalence for London was 0.64% while it was highest in Scotland at 0.97%
IBD UK is a partnership of 17 professional bodies, royal colleges and patient organisations working together to improve care and treatment for everyone affected by Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Their main aim is to ensure that everyone with IBD has consistent, safe, high-quality personalised care, whatever their age and wherever they live in the UK.
Crohn’s & Colitis UK is the UK’s leading charity for Crohn’s and Colitis. Right now, new research is revealing over 500,000 people in the UK are living with a lifelong disease that many people have never heard of. Because of the stigma and misunderstanding surrounding these diseases, thousands of people are suffering in silence. But they are not alone. We’re here for everyone affected by Crohn’s and Colitis.
We’re working to improve diagnosis and treatment, and to fund research into a cure; to raise awareness and to give people hope, comfort and confidence to live freer, fuller lives.
We want:
- To drive world-class research that improves lives today and brings us closer to a world free from Crohn’s and Colitis tomorrow
- Everyone to understand Crohn’s and Colitis
- To support and empower everyone to manage their conditions
- To drive high-quality and sustainable clinical care
- Early and accurate diagnosis for all
Notes to editors:
About the University of Nottingham
Ranked 32 in Europe and 16th in the UK by the QS World University Rankings: Europe 2024, the University of Nottingham is a founding member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities. Studying at the University of Nottingham is a life-changing experience, and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our students. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia - part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement.
Nottingham was crowned Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 – the third time it has been given the honour since 2018 – and by the Daily Mail University Guide 2024.
The university is among the best universities in the UK for the strength of our research, positioned seventh for research power in the UK according to REF 2021. The birthplace of discoveries such as MRI and ibuprofen, our innovations transform lives and tackle global problems such as sustainable food supplies, ending modern slavery, developing greener transport, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The university is a major employer and industry partner - locally and globally - and our graduates are the second most targeted by the UK's top employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2022 report by High Fliers Research.
We lead the Universities for Nottingham initiative, in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, a pioneering collaboration between the city’s two world-class institutions to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing for residents in the city and region we are proud to call home.
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