Inflammatory bowel disease among college students

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Internal Medicine
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) affects young adults, impacting their education and quality of life.
• Understanding the prevalence and clinical course of IBD in student populations is crucial for targeted healthcare.
• Previous studies have established general incidence and prevalence rates for IBD subtypes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the incidence, prevalence, and clinical characteristics of IBD in a student population at Stanford University.
• To assess the impact of IBD and its complications on college attendance.
• To compare IBD rates in students with age-specific rates from broader populations.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective observational study of 52 student patients diagnosed with chronic IBD over a three-year period.
• Classification of IBD subtypes: Crohn disease, ulcerative colitis, and ulcerative proctitis.
• Monitoring of disease activity, complications, and need for interrupted college attendance.

Main Results:

• Out of 52 students, 16 had Crohn disease, 17 had ulcerative colitis, and 19 had ulcerative proctitis.
• Ulcerative colitis patients experienced minimal complications, with only two students overall interrupting studies due to IBD.
• 33 patients achieved remission during the observation period; incidence and prevalence rates aligned with existing literature.

Conclusions:

• IBD in this student cohort had a manageable impact on college attendance, with high remission rates observed.
• The high frequency of proctitis may reflect diagnostic practices within the student health service.
• Student health services should be equipped to manage IBD effectively, considering diagnostic nuances.