Key Themes in the Care of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Among Immigrant Populations: A Systematic Review

The care of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) requires special attention among immigrants due to different disease incidence, phenotype, and risk profiles. We aimed to highlight key themes among existing literature to inform equitable care in all immigrants living with IBD.

A systematic literature search was conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane library, Scopus, and ProQuest from inception to February 2023 to identify studies capturing the care of IBD among immigrants who moved from one country to another, irrespective of the timing of IBD diagnosis. Studies on immigrant children and children of immigrants were also included. We reported qualitative and quantitative data as reported in each individual study, and where applicable, we noted comparisons between immigrants and non-immigrants, defined as natives of the adopted country.

This review included 50 eligible studies. 12/19 (63.1%) studies reported lower incidence of IBD among immigrants, although rates increased from first- to second-generation immigrants in five studies. Most immigrants had significant changes in their diet after immigration, and their gut microbiota was different compared to non-immigrants. Immigrants had different environmental exposures and in certain populations, more severe IBD phenotypes and extra-intestinal manifestations (EIMs). Medical and surgical treatments were lower among immigrants in certain regions, although they had appropriate healthcare utilization and similar hospitalization rates compared to non-immigrants.

IBD care among immigrants is unique due to their different risk profiles and disease phenotypes, and the potential barriers with healthcare access. Understanding IBD among immigrants is key to ensure equitable care in this unique population.