Inflammatory bowel disease burden in the age of 25-35 years: a comprehensive analysis of incidence, prevalence, and mortality.
Abstract
Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract that increasingly affects young adults and contributes to significant morbidity and healthcare burden. Objective: To analyze the burden of inflammatory bowel disease among individuals aged 25–35 years by evaluating its incidence, prevalence, clinical characteristics, complications, and mortality patterns. Methods: This was a hospital-based cross-sectional analytical study conducted at Gomal Medical College Dera Ismail Khan from May 2024 to May 2025 including 210 patients aged 25–35 years diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease. Results: The mean age of patients was 29.8 ± 3.1 years, with males accounting for 56.2% of cases. Ulcerative colitis was more prevalent (59.0%) than Crohn’s disease (41.0%). Chronic diarrhea (81.4%) and abdominal pain (77.1%) were the most common symptoms. Severe disease flares occurred in 30.5% of patients, and hospitalization was required in 34.3%. Mortality was recorded in 4.3% of cases, mainly due to severe disease complications and infections. Conclusion: Inflammatory bowel disease represents a significant health burden in young adults aged 25–35 years. Early detection and effective management are essential to reduce complications and improve long-term patient outcomes..