Abstract Background Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic, immune-mediated disorder with increasing incidence worldwide. Although multiple studies have explored the impact of ethnicity on IBD, there is a lack of clinical and epidemiological data concerning minority populations such as the Romani community. The objective os this study is to compare the clinical characteristics, disease course, and complicationrates of IBD between Romani and Caucasian patients in Córdoba, Spain. Methods A multicenter, retrospective and case-control study was conducted acrossthe four main hospitals in Córdoba. Adult Romani patients diagnosed with IBD were identified and matched for several demographic features in a 1:2 ratio with Caucasian controls. Demographic data, clinical information and outcomes were extracted from medical records, and results were compared between groups. Results A total of 171 patients were included (Romani, n = 57; Caucasian, n = 114). Crohn’s disease (CD) represented nearly 70% of IBD cases in Romani patients. Romani patients with CD had significantly higher prevalence of dyslipidemia (26.3%vs 10.5%, p = 0.029), and higher rates of smoking (57.9% vs 34.2%, p = 0.016).Extra intestinal manifestations were more common among Romani patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) (23.7% vs 0%, p = 0.021). Familial aggregation did not differ between groups. During follow-up, Romani patients with CD had higher rates of disease-related complications (44.7% vs 22.4%, p = 0.014), and a significantly shortertime to complication (log-rank p = 0.039). No significant differences were found in time to biologic therapy, hospitalization, or abdominal surgery. Conclusion Romani patients with IBD exhibit a more aggressive clinical course, characterized by increased frequency and earlier onset of complications. These findings underscore the need for tailored surveillance and intervention strategies to improve outcomes in this vulnerable minority group. Conflict of interest: Ms. Prieto De La Torre, María: No conflict of interest Rodríguez Moncada, Rafael: No conflict of interest Marin Pedrosa, Sandra: NO Aparicio-Serrano, Ana: No conflict of interest Benítez Cantero, José Manuel: Jose Manuel Benitez has served as a speaker, consultant and advisory member or has received grants or honoraria for scientific activities and presentations from Dr. Falk Pharma, Faes Farma, Ferring, Shire Pharmaceuticals, Chiesi, Tillotts Pharma, MSD, Abbvie, Takeda, Janssen Moreno Marquez, Carolina: No conflict of interest Soto Escribano, Pilar: No conflict of interest Iglesias Flores, Eva: Eva Iglesia has served as a speaker, consultant and advisory member for Abbvie, Janssen, Takeda, Gilead, Celgene, Pfizer, Lilly, Ferring, Faes Farma, Dr Falk Pharma, Chiesi and Adacyte. Gros, Beatriz: Beatriz Gros has served as a speaker for Abbvie, Johnson and Johnson, Takeda, Roche, Gilead, Pfizer and Galapagos and has served as an advisor for Roche, Gilead, Abbvie, Galapagos and Takeda
Torre et al. (Thu,) studied this question.