Researchers have uncovered differences in how patients with South Asian and white ethnicity present with inflammatory bowel disease.

An analysis of almost 40,000 patients showed differences in age, type and severity of disease between the ethnic groups.

Data from a UK database of people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) showed ulcerative colitis was more common in South Asian patients with 57% having this diagnosis rather than Crohn’s disease compared with 45% in white patients.

South Asian patients were also diagnosed at a younger age – on average two years younger – than their white counterparts, the research showed.

IBD was also more common in South Asian men than women, whereas in the white population the genders were more equally affected.

Writing in the Journal of Crohn’s and Colitis, the researchers said more South Asian patients diagnosed with ulcerative colitis had extensive disease at 41.7% compared with 34.1% of white patients.

The researchers also found the disease behaved differently in the different ethnicities. South Asians were more likely to have the large bowel affected, and less likely to have narrowing of the bowel in Crohn’s Disease

They were also more likely to have extensive large bowel inflammation in ulcerative colitis than white patients.

But reassuringly the researchers found no difference in use of drug treatments between the two groups when factors that might affect treatment decisions were taken into account.

No differences were seen in use of 5-aminosalicylate, corticosteroid, thiopurine, anti-TNF or vedolizumab use with consistency across South Asian and white populations.

There were also no differences in time to surgery or colectomy and South Asian ethnicity was not associated with a difference in risk associated with surgery, they reported.

The researchers said previous studies on IBD among South Asian patients living in Europe and the US had been inconclusive.

But in the US, research had inequalities in medical and surgical management of the disease in ethnic minorities.

Dr Sharmili Balarajah, study leader and gastroenterologist at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, said: ‘Our current understanding of IBD is primarily derived from studies focused on white populations.

‘Our research reveals distinct variations in IBD among different ethnic groups, especially South Asians. By understanding these differences, we can develop more personalised treatment approaches for IBD patients, ensuring that their specific needs are addressed.’

Lindsay Easton, CEO of Bowel Research UK, said: ‘IBD can be a debilitating disease that has a huge impact on people who are often diagnosed when they’re just in their 20s and 30s.

‘We know very little about the causes of IBD and there’s no cure. Research like this, and other projects we’re funding, shed light on how we can tailor care for different groups and how the disease develops.’

This article was first published by our sister title, Pulse.