· On May 19, the World IBD Day, leading Indian
gastroenterologists come together for IBD Awareness Campaign #ManageYourIBD to
complement the global movement around #MakeIBDwork
· People of Indian origin have a greater than
average risk for all types of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), making India the world’s second largest market for IBD,
after USA
· Medical management through early diagnosis
and timely treatment through Drugs and a new class of Biologics can help
patients control their disease effectively
Wellness
365, a community representing leading Indian medical professionals and
practitioners, today announced that India today has an estimated 1.5 million
patients affected by the Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), putting
the country second only to USA with 1.6 million patients. Also, these number
are rising at a high single digit rate, as Indians have a greater than average
risk of getting this disease.
To
educate people and help them receive appropriate medical intervention, the
platform today launched a month-long campaign #ManageYourIBD, in
association with leading Indian gastroenterologists from the key metro cities.
The campaign was launched in support of the May 19, 2020, the World IBD
Day. This will complement the global movement with hashtag
#MakeIBDwork.
Inflammatory
Bowel Disease is an intestinal disorder which involves prolonged inflammation
of the digestive tract and if left untreated can lead to irreversible damage of
the intestines involving conditions like intestinal obstruction, intestinal
perforation, and a higher risk of colorectal cancer. IBD is not cured by
regular medication and requires the involvement of a specialist often requiring
long-term management. Broadly there are two types of IBD’s - Ulcerative
Colitis (UC) and Crohn’s Disease (CD).
Explaining the symptoms, Dr. Rudrajit Sinha, Gastro-Intestinal
Surgeon, Advanced Laparoscopy & Robotics, The Calcutta Medical Research
Institute, Kolkata, says, “An IBD patient suffers from persistent
abdominal cramps with irregular bowel habits and occasional passage of mucus
and blood in stools. The disease is often associated with unexpected weight
loss and the patient is resistant to usual treatments for stomach ailments.”
The
diagnosis for IBD’s can be challenging, explains Dr. Ajay Choksi,
Consultant and Head , Dept. of Gastroenterology, Nanavati Hospital,
Mumbai “Many self-limited illnesses like bacterial infections and
protozoal illnesses can mimic IBD on gross endoscopic and histologic findings
but do not last beyond a month. Very often it may be impossible to
differentiate between tuberculosis and Crohn’s disease which is when
therapeutic trials and follow ups may be required for a precise diagnosis.
Timely and early diagnosis increases the probability of inducing easy and
durable remission of the disease. Vast majority of the patients can be
successfully managed with medications.”
Delving
into the impact of the disease, if it is left untreated, Dr. Amarender
Puri, Vice Chairman, Institute
of Digestive and
Hepatobiliary Sciences, Medanta, Gurugram, “There is a definite risk
of colorectal cancer if IBD is left untreated. The risk is in direct proportion
to the duration of the disease. It is negligible during the first 8-10 years
but steadily increases thereafter. Currently the risk is thought to be about
10% among those with the disease for 25-30 years. This risk is particularly
much more among patients who have been irregular with their treatment vis a vis
those who are fully compliant. Additionally, untreated disease leads to long
standing anaemia and protein loss from the body.”
Interestingly,
factors like the socioeconomic and demographic classification play a role in
the incidence of the disease, explains Dr. Piyush Ranjan, Sr.
Consultant, Institute of Liver Gastroenterology & Pancreatico Biliary
Sciences, Sir Ganga
Ram Hospital ,
Delhi , “In
general, IBD is more common among urban population and the higher socioeconomic
groups. Both males and females have an equal chance of having ulcerative
colitis. However, in case of Crohn’s disease, females have a slightly higher
preponderance. “
Lack of awareness makes things worse:
Lack of awareness remains a key barrier in helping
people get the correct diagnosis and receive the right treatment. Ignorance
often leads to the patient being treated for common problems like upset
stomach, and even tuberculosis, while the issue is completely different. The
debilitating effects of not diagnosing early is a life-threatening hazard which
is also financially and emotionally draining for the family. Heightened