EpiCom

Epidemiology was once again strongly represented at the 21st Congress of ECCO in Stockholm, with 142 abstracts selected for presentation in this category (see graph). This sustained interest confirms the central role that ECCO Members and IBD researchers attribute to epidemiological research in advancing our understanding of IBD aetiology, natural history and outcomes. In this article, we spotlight two contributions that deserve particular attention: the winner of the Y-ECCO Best Abstract Award and the final report of an epidemiology project supported by an ECCO Research Grant.

The 8th EpiCom Workshop, held during the recent ECCO Congress in Stockholm, brought together leading experts in IBD epidemiology from across the globe. The workshop addressed two of the most pressing challenges currently facing the field: the rapid global rise in IBD incidence and the persistent inequalities in access to care. Structured into two distinct sessions, each comprising a series of expert presentations and interactive discussions, the workshop offered a comprehensive and multidimensional perspective on the evolving IBD landscape.

The rising pandemic of obesity has led to the increasing use of GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs). Their impact on Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) has become a topic of interest as a result and has been the subject of a recent comprehensive review published in J Crohns Colitis [1]. GLP-1 RAs have been reported to have possible effects on IBD, but are improved outcomes related to weight loss or a direct effect of these agents? GLP-1 RAs were originally developed for type 2 diabetes and obesity.

This interview addresses aspects of the important recent study entitled “Global evolution of inflammatory bowel disease across epidemiologic stages”, which was published in Nature earlier this year [Hracs L, Windsor JW, Gorospe J, et al.; Global IBD Visualization of Epidemiology Studies in the 21st Century (GIVES-21) Research Group. Nature 2025;642: 458–66. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-08940-0

During the recent ECCO Congress in Berlin, EpiCom bade farewell to Sophie Restellini, Kristine Allin and Ravi Misra, while warmly welcoming three new members to the Committee.

A total of 130 abstracts focused on epidemiology were selected for presentation at the 2025 ECCO Congress, the highest number submitted in this category in recent years. This growth underscores the importance that ECCO Members and IBD researchers place on epidemiology in deepening our understanding of IBD aetiology, management and outcomes. In this article, we spotlight some of the most noteworthy abstracts that stood out to us during the recent ECCO Congress in Berlin (see graph).

The incidence of all-age IBD is increasing worldwide, with studies in paediatric IBD (PIBD) showing a continued rise in the last few decades [1].

The incidence and prevalence of IBD varies throughout the world, with the highest incidence seen in industrialised regions of North America and Europe. Within Europe an East–West gradient has been demonstrated, with Western centres showing almost twice the incidence observed in Eastern centres. The general trend in migration is from lower and middle income countries to higher income countries in Western Europe and North America.

Change is the engine that propels scientific progress, and within this dynamic, committees evolve. As members transition, embracing fresh perspectives, the spirit of innovation flourishes, shaping the path ahead. Amidst this journey, EpiCom is pleased to introduce Paul Henderson while bidding farewell to Julien Kirchgesner.

A total of 116 abstracts with an epidemiology theme were accepted for presentation at the ECCO Congress in 2024. This represented an increase over the previous year, with total submissions in this category up by 20%. It is clear that ECCO Members and IBD researchers see epidemiology as a vital part of our understanding of the overall picture of IBD aetiology, management and outcomes. Here we highlight just a few of the top abstracts that caught our eye.