Nikhil Kannan

Review Article on IBD

Started Mar. 26, 2024

Abstract or project description

IBD is an umbrella term to describe chronic inflammatory disorders that affect the GI tract. The primary disorders are CD and UC. The GI tract is responsible for the digestion, absorption, and passage of feces from the mouth down to the anus. This includes the small intestine and colon. The classical indicators of IBD are inflammation of the gut, where CD affects any segment of the GI tract, usually in the ileum, while ulcerative colitis does so in the colon and rectum. Symptoms include abdominal pain with diarrhea and, on the other end, systemic manifestations such as fatigue and fever. Although genetic predisposition is associated with genes that include IL-23R and NOD2, environmental factors include diet and pollution. The symptoms are further worsened by stress, which affects the gut microbiota balance. Treatment is primarily targeted at reducing inflammation; the list of drugs includes anti-inflammatory drugs, immunosuppressants, and surgical interventions. It is these changes in the microbiome—dysbiosis, in particular—that seem to induce immune dysregulation and inflammation in IBD patients. Although higher in urban and industrialized areas, there has been variation in prevalence globally. The rising incidence in Asia and Africa points to a new global health concern in regard to the incidence of IBD.