Global Incidence of Pediatric-Onset Inflammatory Bowel Disease Continues to Rise

A new analysis of data from the 2019 Global Burden of Disease Study published in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases highlights a significant rise in the incidence of pediatric-onset inflammatory bowel disease (PIBD) worldwide over the past 3 decades.

The study, which examined data from 204 countries between 1990 and 2019, found that while PIBD incidence has increased, mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) have declined, reflecting improved disease management and access to care in some regions. 

The findings revealed a strong correlation between PIBD incidence and the Socio-demographic Index (SDI), with higher rates observed in wealthier nations. In 2019, the highest incidence rates were reported in Canada (19.9 per 100,000 population), Denmark (12.4 per 100,000), Hungary (8.5 per 100,000), Austria (8.1 per 100,000), and the United States (7.4 per 100,000). Meanwhile, lower-SDI countries had a higher burden of death and DALYs, indicating disparities in disease outcomes based on healthcare access and infrastructure. 

"The incidence rate was notably elevated in the high SDI quintile, reaching 6.3 per 100,000 person-years, corresponding to 13,914 new cases in 2019," the study reported. 

The study also found that several countries experienced significant increases in PIBD incidence from 1990 to 2019, with the highest annual percentage changes observed in Taiwan (4.2%), China (2.8%), Japan (2.1%), Australia (1.8%), and Hungary (1.6%). 

"PIBD incidence has significantly increased since 1990. High-SDI countries face higher incidence, while lower-SDI countries experience higher mortality and DALY burdens," the authors noted. 

The increasing incidence of PIBD underscores the need for continued surveillance and research to better understand disease pathogenesis, identify risk factors, and address global disparities in care.

Reference
Wang Y, Pan CW, Huang Y, et al. Global epidemiology and geographic variations of pediatric-onset inflammatory bowel disease: a comprehensive analysis of the global burden of disease study 1990 to 2019. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2025;31(2):376-385. doi:10.1093/ibd/izae093