Inflammatory bowel disease in Pakistan: Low prevalence or underdiagnosis?

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has a low prevalence in the Global South, including Pakistan. While genetics and gut flora, influenced by diet and the environment, can contribute to this, we are exploring the possibility of underdiagnosis. Lack of facilities trained in IBD, scarcity of medications, limited health insurance for specialist referral and the current epidemic of abdominal tuberculosis could be the cause. The increasing diagnosis of IBD among Pakistani immigrants and colorectal carcinoma among the young population might be the result of this. Timely referrals by primary care physicians to gastroenterologists, along with the growing use of newer technologies such as abdominal ultrasound for diagnosis can help mitigate the challenge of low or late diagnosis of this chronic condition.