Current Status and Challenges of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in China

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by two major disorders, ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD). The incidence and prevalence of IBD are increasing in past few years in China, although the etiology and pathogenesis of IBD is not fully understood. It is considered that persistent intestinal infection, dysregulation of immune responses, damage of mucosal barrier, environmental and genetic factors contribute to these disorders. In this mini-review, we discuss the current status of IBD in China with characteristics in epidemiology, approaches in the pathogenesis, and advances in diagnosis and treatment. Moreover, we also analyze the modern challenge on IBD research and clinical study.