P1269 Epidemiology and Clinical Features of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Kuwait: A Multicenter (SEIF-IBD) Study

Background The prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) continues to rise globally, with notable shifts in its epidemiological patterns (1). Recent research has underscored a global shift in disease burden, with many regions reporting rising prevalence (2). However, data on the burden and characteristics of IBD in Kuwait remain limited. This study aimed to evaluate the epidemiology of IBD in the general population of Kuwait. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study across 4 centers in Kuwait. All 4 centers are major tertiary referral centers for IBD in Kuwait, providing broad national coverage. Enrollment period was between May 2022 until November 2025. The primary objective of this study was to report the epidemiological patterns and phenotypes of IBD in Kuwait. Data on patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn’s disease (CD) were collected, encompassing demographics, disease phenotypes, disease duration, clinical characteristics, and treatment approaches. Results A total of 1,635 patients were included in the study, of which 836 (51.1%) were male. Patients with UC accounted for 44.3% of cases (n = 725), while CD represented 52.6% (n = 860) and IBD-unclassified (IBD-U) comprised 3.1% (n = 50). In patients with CD (figure 1. A), non-stricturing/non-penetrating disease (B1) was the most prevalent phenotype, affecting 352 patients (40.95%), followed by penetrating disease (B3) in 321 patients (37.27%). In patients with UC ((figure 1. B), left-sided colitis (E2) represented the largest group, accounting for 321 patients (44.30%), followed by extensive colitis (E3) in 275 patients (37.96%). Most patients had no history of IBD-related surgery (1,313; 80.29%). Finally, extraintestinal manifestations (EIMs) were present in 599 patients (36.66%). Conclusion This study offers a comprehensive overview of the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of IBD in Kuwait, particularly emphasizing a higher prevalence of CD, especially penetrating disease. These findings underscore the increasing burden of IBD in Kuwait and emphasize the need for continued investment in early diagnosis, multidisciplinary care, and access to effective treatments. References: 1. Hracs L, Windsor JW, Gorospe J, et al. Global evolution of inflammatory bowel disease across epidemiologic stages. Nature. 2025;642:458–466. 2. Mak WY, Zhao M, Ng SC, Burisch J. The epidemiology of inflammatory bowel disease: East meets west. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2020;35:380–389. Conflict of interest: Shehab, Mohammad: No conflict of interest Alrashed, Fatema: No conflict of interest Aljabri, Dr. Reem: No conflict of interest Mohammad, Danah: No conflict of interest Malik, Mohammad: No conflict of interest Al Farhan, Heba: No conflict of interest Al Taweel, Talal: No conflict of interest Alfadhli, Ahmad: No conflict of interest