A recent discovery has been made regarding the existence of ethnic distinctions in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

A recent study published in the Journal of Crohn’s and Colitis has found that South Asian patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) are more likely to have a certain form of the disease and be diagnosed at a younger age compared to their white counterparts.

The study, which was funded by Bowel Research UK and the National Institute of Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, is the largest analysis to date on South Asian IBD patients in the UK.

IBD is a group of diseases that cause inflammation in the digestive tract, with two common types being Ulcerative Colitis (UC) and Crohn’s Disease (CD). Symptoms of IBD include diarrhoea, a sudden urge to use the bathroom, and abdominal pain. It affects around 300,000 people in the UK, with most cases being diagnosed before the age of 35.

The researchers analysed data from over 30,000 patients and found that in South Asian IBD patients, UC was more prevalent than in their white counterparts, with 57% of the IBD cohorts studied having UC compared to 45% in the white population. South Asian patients were also diagnosed on average two years younger than white patients. The study also found that IBD was more common in South Asian men than women, whereas in the white population, the genders were equally affected.

Dr Sharmili Balarajah, a Bowel Research UK researcher, gastroenterology trainee at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and doctoral student at Imperial College London, said: “Our current understanding of IBD is primarily derived from studies focused on white populations. Our research is groundbreaking, as it reveals distinct variations in IBD among different ethnic groups, especially South Asians. By understanding these differences, we can develop more personalised treatment approaches for IBD patients, ensuring that their specific needs are addressed.”

The study also found that the disease behaved differently in the different ethnicities. South Asians were more likely to have the large bowel affected and less likely to have narrowing of the bowel (stricturing) in CD. They were also more likely to have extensive large bowel inflammation in UC compared to white patients.

The research also assessed whether the two ethnic groups received the same level of care and found that there was consistency in the treatment received regardless of ethnicity.

Lindsay Easton, CEO of Bowel Research UK, said: “IBD can be a debilitating disease that has a huge impact on people who are often diagnosed when they’re just in their 20s and 30s. We know very little about the causes of IBD and there’s no cure. Research like this, and other projects we’re funding, shed light on how we can tailor care for different groups and how the disease develops.”