Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 12, 2026
Investigating Intestinal Inflammation in DSS-induced Model of IBD
Published on: February 1, 2012
Risk of stroke in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Chao Luo1, Lingpei Liu1, Di Zhu1
1Department of General Practice, Affiliated Jinhua Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Jinhua Municipal Central Hospital, Jinhua, Zhejiang, 321000, China.
Insights
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients face a higher stroke risk. Crohn's disease (CD) poses a greater risk than ulcerative colitis (UC), underscoring the need for cardiovascular monitoring in IBD care.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Cardiology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Growing evidence links inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), with increased cardiovascular disease risk.
- Stroke is a significant concern within this association, necessitating further investigation into IBD patient populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically evaluate and quantify the risk of stroke in individuals diagnosed with IBD compared to the general population.
- To differentiate stroke risk between Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) subtypes within the broader IBD category.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive systematic literature search was conducted across major databases (PubMed, Embase, CENTRAL, Scopus, CINAHL) up to September 2023.
- Meta-analysis using a random-effects model was employed to calculate pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for stroke occurrence.
- Subgroup analyses were performed for CD, UC, and overall IBD, with publication bias assessed using Begg's and Egger's tests.
Main Results:
- The meta-analysis included 13 studies encompassing 2,802,955 participants.
- IBD patients exhibited a significantly elevated stroke risk (HR: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.21-1.39).
- Subgroup analyses revealed higher stroke risk for CD (HR: 1.35, 95% CI: 1.22-1.49) and UC (HR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.09-1.22).
Conclusions:
- Both IBD overall and specifically Crohn's disease are associated with a statistically significant increase in stroke risk.
- These findings highlight the critical need for integrated cardiovascular risk assessment and proactive management strategies in the routine care of IBD patients.
Background:
Current studies suggest a potential link between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), comprising Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), and cardiovascular diseases, such as stroke. This study aimed to assess the risk of stroke in IBD patients compared to general population.
Methods:
Systematic search was done in PubMed, Embase, CENTRAL, Scopus, and CINAHL databases for studies published till September 2023. Using a random-effects model, the hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for stroke occurrence were calculated. Subgroup analyses were done to estimate pooled HR with 95%CI for CD, UC, and overall IBD cases separately. Publication bias assessment was done by Begg's and Egger's tests.
Results:
Thirteen studies with 2,802,955 participants were included. IBD patients in general had significantly higher risk of stroke, with HR of 1.30 [95% CI 1.21-1.39]. Subgroup analysis demonstrated an HR of 1.35 [95% CI 1.22-1.49] for CD and 1.15 [95% CI 1.09-1.22] for UC. Substantial heterogeneity was detected across studies, with no substantial publication bias. Sensitivity analyses affirmed the stability of findings.
Conclusion:
IBD in general, and Crohn's disease in particular are associated with significantly higher risk of stroke. Our findings further emphasize the importance of cardiovascular risk assessment and management strategies in IBD care.
Protocol Registration:
PROSPERO, CRD42023470602.
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