EpidemIBD: rationale and design of a large-scale epidemiological study of inflammatory bowel disease in Spain

Abstract

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with a considerable burden to the patient and society. However, current data on IBD incidence and burden are limited because of the paucity of nationwide epidemiological studies, heterogeneous designs, and a low number of participating centers and sample size. The EpidemIBD study is a large-scale investigation to provide an accurate assessment of the incidence of IBD in Spain, as well as treatment patterns and outcomes. Methods: This multicenter, population-based incidence cohort study included patients aged >18 years with IBD (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or unclassified IBD) diagnosed during 2017 in 108 hospitals in Spain, covering 50% of the Spanish population. Each participating patient will attend 10 clinic visits during 5 years of follow up. Demographic data, IBD characteristics and family history, complications, treatments, surgeries, and hospital admissions will be recorded. Results: The EpidemIBD study is the first large-scale nationwide study to investigate the incidence of IBD in Spain. Enrollment is now completed and 3627 patients are currently being followed up. Conclusions: The study has been designed to overcome many of the limitations of previous European studies into IBD incidence by prospectively recruiting a large number of patients from all regions of Spain. In addition to epidemiological information about the burden of IBD, the 5-year follow-up period will also provide information on treatment patterns, and the natural history and financial burden of IBD.

Compliance with the guidelines on recommended immunization schedule in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: implications on public health policies

“…The reported prevalence in Spain is 205 cases per 100,000 inhabitants [5], although the accuracy of estimates in Europe is limited by small sample sizes. To address this problem in Spain, a nationwide prospective populationbased cohort study known as EpidemIBD was launched in 2017 to determine the true epidemiological scale of IBD [6].…”

Inflammatory bowel disease in South-Eastern Norway III (IBSEN III): a new population-based inception cohort study from South-Eastern Norway

“…In the nineties, the original IBSEN study was considered to represent the 'gold standard' of population-based cohorts. Since then many large-scale, well-characterized cohorts have been developed, all with their strengths and limitations [17][18][19][20]. The IBSEN III study has many advantages compared to other IBD cohorts.…”

Cost-effectiveness analysis of ferric carboxymaltose versus iron sucrose for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia in patients with inflammatory bowel disease in Spain

“…2 The EpidemIBD study aims to provide a detailed nationwide analysis of the incidence and outcomes of IBD in Spain. 3 The full results of the EpidemIBD study are yet to report, but early analyses of the cohort found an annual incidence of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) of 14.3–16.0 cases per 100,000 population per year. 4 , 5 …”