Prevention Study on IBD Reveals Key Role of Ethnic Diversity in Research Outcomes
Study shows UK South Asians with inflammatory bowel disease respond the same to commonly used treatments as White patients, but may have a slightly increased risk of side effects to certain medications.
A new study published today by researchers at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and Imperial College London has discovered that UK inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients of White and South Asian ethnicity respond the same to commonly used treatments, despite the disease itself being different in each group.
Funded by Bowel Research UK and supported by the Imperial and Cambridge NIHR Biomedical Research Centres (BRCs), this study means patients can be reassured that current treatments work equally well for both ethnic groups.
The study also revealed South Asian IBD patients were at a slightly increased risk of experiencing side effects from certain treatments, highlighting the need for clinicians to be vigilant while monitoring this group of patients.
Around 300,000 people in the UK live with IBD, which includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis – chronic conditions that cause inflammation of the digestive tract and often require long-term treatment or surgery to manage symptoms.
Study highlights the need for inclusive research
The study analysed data from more than 26,500 people in the UK’s IBD BioResource and is the largest analysis of ethnicity and treatment outcomes in IBD ever conducted in the UK.
The study provides valuable insights into treatment outcomes and side-effect risks in an underrepresented population. Most clinical trials and studies of IBD treatments carried out so far have been carried out in predominantly White patient populations.
This latest study builds on earlier research from the same Imperial-led team, which revealed that IBD presents differently among ethnic groups, but that there is equal access to treatment in the UK.
The new study published today shows the need for inclusive research to highlight how diseases may affect people of different backgrounds differently and ensure that treatments are safe and effective for everyone living with IBD.
Dr Sharmili Balarajah, gastroenterology speciality registrar at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, clinical research fellow at Imperial College London, and lead author on the study said: “Earlier this year we found that inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is different in people of different ethnicities but that in the NHS, everyone receives equal access to treatment.”
She continued: “Our new paper shows that despite these differences, South Asian and White IBD patients respond the same to treatment, although South Asian patients may be slightly more likely to experience side effects from some of the treatments we use. These results are reassuring as they show the treatments work in both groups – so patients hearing this news don’t need to be worried. It just means that their clinicians need to be vigilant while monitoring South Asian patients.”
Consultant gastroenterologist Professor Horace Williams, who leads the research group within Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and Imperial College London said: “We have been studying ethnicity and its impact on IBD at Imperial for many years. Until now, our understanding of treatment response in patients of non-white ethnicity has been limited. These findings demonstrate why we need people from all backgrounds that reflect our patient population to take part in research. This is essential for us to tailor and deliver the best care for patients.”
Kathryn Pretzel-Shiels, Chief Executive of Bowel Research UK said: “IBD can be a lifelong and often debilitating disease, usually diagnosed when people are still in their twenties or thirties. By funding this important work, Bowel Research UK is helping to ensure that treatments are equally safe and effective for everyone, regardless of ethnicity. This research shows how inclusive science can directly improve care and quality of life for patients.”
