Phenotype and outcomes of IBD in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel disease, especially ulcerative colitis (UC), is increasing in many "non-Western" countries, including Sri Lanka. Outcome of IBD has been poorly studied in these emerging populations compared to the West. In a prospective population-based study, we found that the early course of disease in patients with IBD in Asia, including Sri Lanka, was comparable to that of the West. Patients with Crohn disease (CD) frequently progress to complicated disease and have accelerated use of immunosuppressants. Few patients with early stage UC undergo surgery. We also evaluated long-term outcomes of ulcerative colitis in a Sri Lankan population. A retrospective cohort study was conducted at the gastroenterology clinics of the Colombo North Teaching Hospital, Ragama and the National Hospital of Sri Lanka, Colombo; the two major referral centers for ulcerative colitis. Three outcomes: colectomy, development of colorectal carcinoma, and death were assessed. In this cohort, colectomy, colorectal carcinoma, and death rates were low, suggesting a relatively benign disease course for UC.