Population-based incidence and prevalence of inflammatory bowel diseases in Milan (Northern Italy), and estimates for Italy

Abstract

Objective A reliable measure of the burden of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, are essential to monitor their epidemiology and plan appropriate health services. Methods This is a population-based study carried out in the Milan Agency for Health Protection. Incident and prevalent cases were identified according to specific codes in hospital discharges and copayment exemptions. Age-standardized incidence rates were computed for 2015–2018 and yearly rates from 2010 to 2018, as well as annual prevalence and prevalence on 31 December 2018. Incidence and prevalence estimates for Italy were also produced. Results During 2015–2018, 3434 citizens had an IBD diagnosis, 2154 (62.7%) ulcerative colitis and 1.280 (37.3%) Crohn’s disease. Age-adjusted incidence rates were 15.3 [95% confidence interval (CI), 14.7–16.0] for ulcerative colitis and 9.4 (8.9–9.9) for Crohn’s disease. Incidence was stable during 2010–2018 for both diseases. On 31 December 2018, there were 15 141 prevalent patients, corresponding to a proportion of 442.3 every 100 000 inhabitants/year (95% CI, 435.6–449.8). Prevalence proportion has increased to around +10% per year from 2010 to 2018. Projections for Italy assessed the burden of IBD in more than 15 000 new cases/year (55% ulcerative colitis) and around 260 000 prevalent cases (62% ulcerative colitis). Conclusions The exploitation of administrative data provides reliable and up-to-date measures of the burden of disease. Incidence of IBDs is stable while prevalence notably grows. The burden of IBDs and the consequent need for care and follow-up is going to increase in the future.

Epidemiology of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: A Population Study in a Healthcare District of North-West Italy

“…Despite some degree of variability, our data are in agreement with the results of previous epidemiologic studies carried out in Italy [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]. In particular, a previous Italian epidemiologic study carried out in the Barletta-Andria-Trani Province of the Apulia region, found an IBD prevalence of 187.2/100,000 (95% CI: 160.6–217.0) and an incidence of 16.2/100,000 (95% CI 12.5–20.7) per year [ 17 ]; taking into account that these data were published in 2013, they are consistent with our findings of an increase in IBD prevalence and incidence.…”

“…However, local studies published in the last 10 years reported a significantly higher order of magnitude of IBD cases in Italy. The prevalence of IBD ranges from 442 per 100,000 population in the district of Milan (North Italy) to 187 per 100,000 population in Sardinia [ 5 , 6 ], with a lower prevalence of CD compared with UC in the whole country [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]. Incidence rates of CD varies from 6.1 to 17.9 per 100,000 population/year for CD and from 12.2 to 15.3 per 100,000 population/year for UC [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ].…”

Crossing barriers: the burden of inflammatory bowel disease across Western Europe

“…10,11 Although Southern European countries have often been considered as low prevalent areas for IBD, recent studies have proven this is no longer the case, as can be seen from recent studies from Spain, Italy and Portugal. [12][13][14][15][16][17] Western Europe is vast and disease rates vary not only between countries, but within each country itself. One of the largest UK studies to determine epidemiology rates in IBD explored health records from more than 38.3 million people between 2000 and 2020 and found a population incidence rate of 36 new cases per 100,000 person-years, with greater rates in Scotland and Northern Ireland compared to England and Wales.…”

Effectiveness and Safety Profiles of Biological Therapies in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Real Life Data from an Active Pharmacovigilance Project

“…Currently, IBD affect a growing number of people worldwide, with more than 6.8 million cases, and the number will increase exponentially over the next decade [ 3 ]. New data suggest that around 0.2% of the European population suffers from IBD at the present time [ 4 ] and approximately 260,000 subjects are affected by IBD in Italy (0.4%) [ 5 ].…”