IBD Is Associated With Increased Risk of Heart Disease

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have an increased risk of ischemic heart disease, according to a recent literature review. This risk is highest among patients with Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis.

Previous research has suggested that immune‐mediated diseases are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) disease. However, study findings regarding the association between IBD and the risk of CV disease have been inconsistent.
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To better understand this relationship, the researchers evaluated patient data from 10 cohort studies found via PubMed and Embase databases through October 2016.

A random-effects model was used to calculate the summary relative risks, and subgroup and sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess the source of heterogeneity.

Results indicated that IBD was associated with an increased risk of ischemic heart disease. Considerable heterogeneity was observed, the researchers noted. Patients with Crohn disease had a significantly increased risk of ischemic heart disease (relative risk, 1.243), as did patients with ulcerative colitis (relative risk, 1.206).

“Based on meta‐analysis of cohort studies, we found an increased risk of ischemic heart disease in patients with inflammatory bowel disease,” the researchers concluded. “Large long‐term prospective studies are warranted to confirm our results.”

—Christina Vogt

Reference:

Feng W, Chen G, Cai D, Zhao S, Cheng J, Shen H. Inflammatory bowel disease and risk of ischemic heart disease: an updated meta-analysis of cohort studies. J Am Heart Assoc. 2017;6(8). doi:10.1161/JAHA.117.005892.