Abstract
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is an umbrella term for three inflammatory diseases affecting the gastrointestinal system; Crohn's Disease (CD), Ulcerative Colitis (UC) and Inflammatory Bowel Disease Unclassified (IBD-U). Incidence differs across the world, with the main trend being high incidence in traditionally westernized countries. As of 2016, New Zealand had an estimated prevalence of 20,000, expected to double by 2026.
We aimed to investigate the incidence of IBD within the former Otago District Health Board region from 2012 to 2021. In combination with a previous study by Coppell et al which investigated the incidence over years 1996 to 2013 within the same region, this will allow an overview of 25 years. Also investigated was the diagnostic delay and course of disease over the first year of diagnosis.