Prevalence of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Increases Save

The MMWR has reported that Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, collectively known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), previously (1999) had an estimated 1.8 million (0.9%) prevalence. But as of 2015, an estimated 3.1 million (1.3%) of U.S. adults have been diagnosis with IBD according to the NHIS - a large, nationally representative data source.

Previous studies of IBD were limited to administrative claims data or data collected from limited geographic regions, and there are few national prevalence estimates.  

The most recent national study used 1999 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data and estimated that 1.8 million (0.9%) U.S. adults had IBD (7).

The CDC conducted the 2015 NHIS and analyzed the prevalence of IBD among the civilian, noninstitutionalized U.S. adult population. They found that 3.1 million, or 1.3%, of U.S. adults have received a diagnosis of IBD.

Certain subgroups had a higher prevalence of IBD, including adults aged ≥45 years, Hispanics, non-Hispanic whites, and adults with less than a high school level of education, not currently employed, born in the United States, living in poverty, or living in suburban areas. 

The prevalence of IBD did not differ by sex, current marital status, health insurance coverage type, or region of residence.

NHIS is a household survey that provides nationally representative estimates on a broad range of health measures. The 2015 NHIS Sample Adult Core consisted of 33,672 adults and had a final response rate of 55.2%.  Respondents were identified as having a diagnosis of IBD if they responded affirmatively to the question, “Have you ever been told by a doctor or other health professional that you had Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis?”