Inflammatory Bowel Disease – An Update for Primary Care Physicians

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic, idiopathic, inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract that is typically categorised into Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Traditionally, IBD was regarded as a disease of the western world. Newer epidemiological studies suggest that, with the turn of the 21st century, IBD has become a global disease with rising incidence in newly industrialised countries in Asia, Africa, and South America. There are also advances in the diagnostics and therapeutic armamentarium of IBD. In this review, we provide an update on the epidemiology, clinical features, investigations, and management of IBD. We also highlight the importance of vaccination in IBD and provide practical points for family physicians.