Photo: University of Otago
Known cases of inflammatory bowel disease have tripled in Canterbury in the past two decades - and will likely keep rising dramatically in New Zealand, a world-leading study has revealed.
Otago University experts have worked with researchers around the globe on the study published in the prestigious medical journal Nature this week.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is made up of Crohns and ulcerative colitis which cause ulcers and inflammation in the gut and have a range of nasty symptoms including abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, fever and sometimes inflammation of other organs.
The study predicts cases will double in Aotearoa in the next 20 years.
It set out to categorise IBD rates in different parts of the world, to help countries set up their health systems up to cope with growing numbers.
One of the co-authors, Otago's Professor Richard Gearry, is a working gastroenterologist who treats patients with the diseases.
He was surprised to realise the big increase in rates in Canterbury - from 1420 to 4000 cases - as the research team reviewed previous studies done since 2006.
There were about 20,000 New Zealanders with IBD in New Zealand but that was expected to be more than 40,000 by 2025, the study found.
Cases were particularly rising in Māori and Pacific peoples.
IBD could be treated or managed with drugs or surgery and it was better to be diagnosed as early as possible.
"To keep up with rising demand, our health system needs to plan ahead and invest more in care designed to specifically meet the needs of people with IBD. We also need to focus on more prevention, research and earlier intervention," Gearry said.
"Many patients experience years of diagnostic delay, resulting in worse outcomes, which is why more resourcing and investment is sorely needed."
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