Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 29, 2025

Investigating Intestinal Inflammation in DSS-induced Model of IBD
Published on: February 1, 2012
Epidemiology and temporal trends of adult inflammatory bowel disease in Taiwan: Multicenter study from the TSIBD
Chih-Wen Huang1, Shu-Chen Wei2, Ming-Jium Shieh3
1Division of Gastroenterology, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Taiwan Society of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (TSIBD), Taiwan.
Background:
Despite industrialization and advances in healthcare, the prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which encompasses Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), is increasing in Taiwan. Population-based studies can estimate the incidence or prevalence of IBD; however, there is a lack of information regarding the disease phenotype. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the epidemiologic trends of IBD in Taiwan to gain a more comprehensive understanding.
Methods:
Patient data were reviewed from a prospectively registered study by the Taiwan Society of IBD (TSIBD).
Results:
We collected data from 2752 patients with IBD, of whom 881 had CD and 1871 had UC. Their average age was 41.99 ± 15.19 years. The CD group had more male patients than the UC group (67.88% vs. 60.72%; p < .001). The rates of appendectomy, bowel resection, and surgery for perianal disease before IBD diagnosis, along with the increased use of steroids, immunomodulators, and biologics, were higher in the CD group. From 2005 to 2023, the ratio of UC to CD cases in Taiwan decreased, the proportions of patients with colonic and penetrating CD also declined, and the proportion of patients with UC exhibiting ulcerative proctitis increased.
Conclusion:
In Taiwan, similar to high-income countries, the ratio of UC to CD cases has declined. The reduced of colonic and penetrating CD indicates that diagnostic awareness has improved and colonoscopic examination has become more comprehensive in Taiwan.
Related Concept Videos
Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...
Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Biologic Agents: Anti-TNF
Irritable Bowel Syndrome II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Evaluation
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is classified into subtypes based on the predominant bowel habits as determined by the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS). The subtypes are:

