Never underestimate inflammatory bowel disease: High prevalence rates and confirmation of high incidence rates in Australia

Abstract

The burden of IBD in our local region is high. Demographic similarities allow these results to be applied to the broader Australian community. We propose that the number of existing and new cases each year in Australia has been previously underestimated. These revised figures will be important when planning the provision of health resources for these patients in the future and when assessing need for research funding priorities.