Steady rise in inflammatory bowel disease in India: Experts

Madurai: Experts have warned that there was a steady rise in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in India, particularly among young adults, and stressed the need for early recognition, timely specialist care and access to advanced therapies. They urged the public not to ignore persistent bowel symptoms and to seek early medical evaluation.

At an event held Saturday, Dr PL Alagammai, senior consultant, medical gastroenterology, Meenakshi Super Speciality Hospital said IBD was no longer considered rare in India. IBD is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the digestive tract and mainly includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. These diseases cause persistent inflammation in the digestive tract and can lead to ulcers, bleeding, weight loss, anaemia, intestinal narrowing, fistulae, and abscesses.

These chronic intestinal disorders commonly present with persistent diarrhoea, abdominal pain, blood in stools, weight loss, loss of appetite, fatigue, fever, and recurrent intestinal complaints. Some patients additionally developed joint pain, skin lesions, eye inflammation, or liver-related disorders. Because these symptoms were frequently mistaken for common infections, piles, irritable bowel syndrome or intestinal tuberculosis, diagnosis was often delayed for months or even years.

Dr Alagammai said the rise in IBD cases was believed to be associated with rapid urbanisation, changing dietary patterns, reduced microbial diversity, antibiotic exposure, pollution, stress, sedentary lifestyles, and improved detection methods. Diets rich in ultra-processed foods, refined carbohydrates, unhealthy fats and low fibre were also believed to alter the gut microbiome and contribute to intestinal inflammation.

Dr Mohan, senior consultant and HOD, surgical gastroenterology said, “In recent years, we have observed a clear increase in newly diagnosed cases, particularly among young adults and urban residents.”