Jakarta, goldensamoyed Indonesia
—
Awareness of
inflammatory bowel disease
or Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is now increasingly important as cases increase in Indonesia.The Indonesian Ministry of Health considers that this trend needs to be taken seriously because it is closely related to changes in people’s lifestyles.
Director of Non-Communicable Diseases at the Indonesian Ministry of Health, Siti Nadia Tarmizi, said that recently IBD cases in Asia, including Indonesia, have also started to show an increase.
“Regional studies show the incidence of IBD is around 0.7-1 per 100,000 population per year. This figure is a warning that IBD needs serious attention,” he said in his statement, Tuesday (9/12).
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He explained that the government has also included strengthening IBD services in its strategy for handling non-communicable diseases.One way is to strengthen the capacity of health facilities in diagnosis, ensure access to appropriate services, and provide accurate information for public education.
What is IBD?
IBD itself is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that causes long-term inflammation of the digestive tract.This condition includes two main forms:
• Ulcerative Colitis: attacks the colon and rectum, with inflammation of the mucosal lining.
• Crohn’s disease: can appear throughout the gastrointestinal tract, with deeper and more patchy inflammation.
Both are progressive and can cause symptoms such as:
• recurrent diarrhea,
• stomach pain or cramps,
• unexplained weight loss,
• fever,
• feeling tired easily,
• until the stools bleed.
Because the symptoms often resemble common indigestion, many patients seek medical help too late.
Internal Medicine Specialist, Consultant Gastroenterohepatology, Ari Fahrial Syam, said that the symptoms of this disease resemble ordinary digestive disorders.Therefore, many patients are late in seeking medical help.
“IBD often appears with very general symptoms so that many patients do not immediately get themselves checked. In fact, if it is not treated, this disease can develop into serious complications,” he explained at the 2025 Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease Awareness Week event held by the Indonesian Gastroenterology Foundation together with Takeda Indonesia which was held online in Jakarta, Tuesday (9/12).
According to Ari, IBD examination includes evaluation of medical history, physical examination, laboratory tests, endoscopy, biopsy, and scans such as CT scans or MRI.Early detection allows patients to prevent complications and maintain quality of life.
He also mentioned that therapies for IBD are now increasingly diverse.Starting from symptomatic drugs to biological therapy.However, its use must be adjusted to the patient’s condition and the doctor’s recommendations.
Wider impact on quality of life
IBD doesn’t just impact physical health.Symptoms can interfere with many aspects of life, from work, school, childcare, social activities, to psychological well-being.
Many patients have to adjust their diet, lifestyle, and even ensure easy access to the toilet during activities.The Indonesian Gastroenterology Foundation (YGI) assesses that the lack of public knowledge means that many patients arrive in serious conditions.
Head of PT Takeda Indonesia, Ulya Himmawati, said that the increase in IBD cases in Asia requires collaboration from various parties.
“The incidence of IBD has increased significantly in the last few decades. Therefore, handling it requires attention from the entire health ecosystem,” he said.
(tis/tis)
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