How Common is Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)?
It is estimated that as many as one million Americans (one in 300) have Inflammatory Bowel Disease – IBD. The number is evenly split between Crohns Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. Crohns Disease may occur in people of all ages but is mainly a disease of adolescents and young adults. Crohns generally affects those between 15 and 35. In another much smaller group of people, Crohns develops between the ages of 50 and 70, a so-called “second wave.” Crohn’s disease can also occur in people who are 70 or older and in young children as well. 10% of those affected (an estimated 100,000) are under the age of 18. Males and females appear to be affected equally.
