IBD, Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis: Numbers You Need to Know

IBD Is Increasing

• Almost 70,000 new cases of IBD are diagnosed every year.
• Most cases of IBD are diagnosed before patients reach 35.
• As many as 80,000 children in the U.S. have IBD.

IBD, Not IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)

• IBD is a disease; IBS is a group of symptoms.
• IBD causes inflammation; IBS does not.
• IBD can be seen during diagnostic imaging; IBS cannot.
• IBD increases the risk for colon cancer; IBS does not.

Crohn’s Disease VS. Ulcerative Colitis

Crohn’s Disease:

• Can affect any part of the GI tract
• Can affect the entire bowel wall
• Symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss
• Bloody stool is variable

Ulcerative Colitis:

• Only affects the colon and rectum
• Affects the inner lining of the large intestine
• Symptoms include abdominal pain, stool urgency, increased bowel movements
• Bloody stool is common

IBD and Hospitalization

• Between 2003 and 2013, hospitalizations for Crohn’s disease did not increase when it was the primary diagnosis.
• During the same time period, hospitalization rates rose from 44.2 to 59.7 per 100,000 population when Crohn’s was a secondary diagnosis.
• The average hospitalization costs are $11,345 for Crohn’s disease.
• The average hospitalization costs are $13,412 for ulcerative colitis.

IBD and Other Diseases

According to the CDC, people with IBD are more likely to have chronic health conditions, including:

• Arthritis
• Cancer
• Cardiovascular disease
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Respiratory disease