Inflammatory bowel disease rates rising in Campania, Italy

Specialists from the IBD Unit at the Federico II University Hospital in Naples report an increase in both the prevalence and incidence of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) in the Campania region. These conditions, which include ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, primarily affect adolescents and young adults between the ages of 15 and 40.

Ulcerative colitis accounts for approximately 60% of IBD cases, while Crohn's disease represents about 40%. Experts emphasize that Crohn's disease is a multifactorial condition characterized by chronic gastrointestinal inflammation caused by an altered immune response.

New European guidelines for pediatric Crohn's disease management have introduced several strategic shifts. These include the ‘treat-to-target’ approach to ensure normal growth and development, risk stratification to identify patients at risk of severe disease, and the early use of anti-TNF biological drugs for high-risk cases. Additionally, new treatment algorithms are being implemented for patients who do not respond to initial anti-TNF therapies.