about IBD
Up to 1 million American suffer from IBD- a prevalence of 1 in 250 persons. Whites, African Americans, and Hispanics have a similar prevalence of IBD- 10.2 persons per 100,000 populations- while Asians exhibit significantly lower rates.
Crohn’s disease affects approximately half million persons in the United States and is more common in Jewish population.
The incidence of IBD is similar among males and females in the US, with a strong genetic component, and 10% of those afflicted are younger than 18 years of age. Studies have shown that about 20 to 25% of patients may have a close relative with either Crohn’s disease or CUC. Because of the symptoms of these two diseases are so similar, approximately 10% of cases are unable to be diagnosed definitely as either Crohn’s disease or CUC. White blood cells infiltrate the intestinal lining, causing chronic inflammation. These inflammatory cells then produce noxious products that ultimately lead to tissue injury. Despite extensive research in IBD, the precise cause of the chronic inflammation is not known.