The hidden burden: Inflammatory bowel disease and cardiovascular mortality in underreported populations

Abstract

Recent data from the United States reveal a rising trend in mortality linked to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD), with pronounced disparities across age, sex, race, and geography. This commentary reappropriates those findings within the context of the Philippines and other low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where chronic inflammation remains underdiagnosed and health systems are ill-equipped to address its cardiovascular consequences. While CVD is already the leading cause of death in the Philippines, the compounding effects of inflammatory disorders like IBD are largely overlooked. Drawing parallels from U.S. patterns, we highlight how rural-urban divides, healthcare inaccessibility, and poor disease surveillance may fuel similar trends in LMICs. We call for integrated screening strategies, improved chronic disease registries, and cross-disciplinary approaches that recognize inflammation as a key driver of cardiovascular risk. The global burden of cardiovascular disease cannot be fully addressed without confronting the silent role of systemic inflammation.