Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Korea: Epidemiological, Genomic, Clinical, and Therapeutic Characteristics

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) describes chronic inflammatory disease of the intestines and has a variable course; Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis comprise the two main forms of the condition. Although IBD occurs worldwide, its epidemiologic and clinical characteristics vary depending upon the geographic location and the ethnicity of the population. Identifying the characteristic features of IBD in populations living in different geographical locations and with different ethnicities may provide significant clues about its etiology and pathophysiology, which in turn may be helpful in the development of more appropriate treatment strategies for IBD for these different populations. Therefore, it is important for each country and region to evaluate critically the epidemiology, genomics, and clinical characteristics of IBD among its own population. We have performed a critical review of the recent data in Korea, and describe herein the current epidemiologic and genotypic status, as well as the clinical manifestations and therapeutic responses of IBD that are unique to Korean patients. (Gut Liver 2010;4:1-14)

Inflammatory Bowel Disease: The Association of Inflammatory Cytokine Gene Polymorphisms

“…Intriguingly, the characteristics of Western and Asian IBD patients differ in epidemiology, phenotype, and genetic susceptibility [12][13][14][15] highlighting ethnic variations. Various epidemiological and population-based studies have indicated that genetic factors contribute to the pathogenesis of IBD [16][17][18].…”

“…These variations might be due to genetic differences in populations or systemic variations in the ancestry of IBD patients and control subjects involved in the studies [27]. Moreover, differences have been found in the characteristics, epidemiology, phenotype, and genetic susceptibility to IBD in Western and Asian populations [15,16]. Therefore, studies involving these unique features in different ethnic populations will help not only identifying the pathophysiology but also understanding the etiology of IBD.…”

Modulation of Colitis-associated Colon Tumorigenesis by Baicalein and Betaine

“…Adjusted prevalence rates of CD and UC per 10 5 individuals were 11.2 and 30.9, respectively. 5 In regard to the incidence of IBD in Japan, the number of patients has been increasing over the time. The age-standardized prevalence of UC in Japan in 2005 was 63.6/10 5 individuals while that of CD was 21.2/10 5 individuals.…”

Replication of Identified Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Genetic Associations: A Case–Control Study in the Tunisian Population

“…Identifying the susceptibility genes of IBD in populations living in different geographical locations and with different ethnicities may provide significant clues about its etiology and pathophysiology [19].…”