Frequent use of antibiotics in people over the age
of 40 could increase the risk of developing
inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), according to a
study published today in the online journal Gut.
Researchers used medical data from Danish citizens
ages 10 and up who were not diagnosed with IBD at
the start of the study period. More than 6 million
people were included. More than 5.5 million were
prescribed antibiotics at least once during the
study period, which lasted from 2000 to 2018. There
were 36,017 new diagnoses of ulcerative colitis and
16,881 of Chron’s disease, both of which fall under
the IBD umbrella.
The researchers said they found
that compared to people with no antibiotic use,
people who took at least one round of antibiotics
were more likely to develop IBD, regardless of age.
However, older age was associated with a higher
risk.
The researchers also found that the risk
factor for developing IBD was cumulative and
subsequent antibiotic courses increased the risk by
11%, 15%, and 14%, respectively.
The increased
risk rose even higher for people who took at least
five rounds of antibiotics:
• For ages 10 to 40,
there was a 59% higher risk
• For ages 40 to 60,
the risk doubled
• For people over 60, there was
a 95% increased risk
The study noted that the
highest risk of developing IBD occurs one to two
years after antibiotic use. The risk decreases each
subsequent year without antibiotic use.
• For
people 10 to 40, the risk was 40% higher for the
first two years and then dropped to 13% four to five
years later with no further antibiotic use
• For
people 40 to 60, the initial risk was 66% higher for
the first two years and then dropped to 21% four to
five years later with no further antibiotic use
•
For people over 60, initially, the risk was 63%
higher and that dropped to 22% four to five years
later when there was no further antibiotic use
Experts point out antibiotics are essential in
certain incidents, but their use should take into
account the inflammatory bowel disease risk. |