Clinical Toolkit
Introduction
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a term applied to a group of idiopathic, chronic conditions characterized by inflammation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and a progressive course, which includes periods of exacerbations and remissions.
Approximately 1.6 million individuals in the United States have IBD (based on 2014 estimates), and the total number of patients with IBD increases by approximately 70,000 each year.1 IBD typically begins in pediatric or young adult years.1,2 It is currently observed largely in the developed countries of the world with data showing the highest prevalence in Europe (ulcerative colitis [UC]: 505 per 100,000; Crohn’s disease [CD]: 322 per 100,000) and North America (UC: 249 per 100,000; CD: 319 per 100,000 persons).3
With these high rates of IBD, it is imperative that clinicians stay sharp on their knowledge of the disease and its treatments. We invite you to explore the rest of this clinical toolkit. In it, you’ll find information on pathophysiology, diagnosis, current and emerging treatments, and additional resources to help you improve your practice.
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References
- Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA). The facts about inflammatory bowel disease. 2014. https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/sites/default/files/2019-02/Updated%20IBD%20Factbook.pdf
- Mowat C, Cole A, Windsor A, et al. Guidelines for the management of inflammatory bowel disease in adults. Gut. 2011;60:571-607.
- Molodecky NA, Soon IS, Rabi DM, et al. Increasing incidence and prevalence of the inflammatory bowel diseases with time, based on systematic review. Gastroenterology. 2012;142:46-54.
