Inflammatory bowel diseases, IBD, have an increasing incidence. The search for the causes of this evolution leads researchers to focus on environmental factors, including exposure to antibiotics. A recent study looked at the possible link between taking antibiotics and the risk of developing IBD. Results.
Antibiotic use and risk of IBD
The data remained contradictory until then on the link between taking antibiotics and the development of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Danish researchers recently conducted a study to assess the impact of antibiotic exposure on the risk of developing these bowel diseases.
The researchers used data from a Danish cohort composed of 6,104,245 subjects aged at least 10 years, recruited and followed between 2000 and 2018. Several parameters were determined and followed: the dose-response relationship, the time of antibiotic intake, class of antibiotics used and risk of IBD. Over the entire cohort, 52,898 new cases of IBD were identified during the study.
An increased risk especially following 40 years
The results of the study reveal that exposure to antibiotics was associated with an increased risk of developing IBD, compared to the absence of antibiotics, whatever the age group. Nevertheless, the association between exposure to antibiotics and the risk of IBD was stronger for the two oldest age groups, namely subjects aged 40 to 60 years and subjects aged over 60 years.
Furthermore, the data show that the greater the exposure to antibiotics, the greater the risk of IBD, both for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. The risk of developing IBD was maximal:
- One to two years following exposure to antibiotics;
- After resorting to antibiotics generally used to treat gastrointestinal infections.
Fewer antibiotics to maintain gut health
This new study, conducted on a large cohort, brings new evidence to the existence of a link between the consumption of antibiotics and the risk of IBD, without however formally demonstrating the causal link. In addition, the results make it possible to specify the nature and strength of this link, with regard to:
- The classes of antibiotics most at risk;
- The influence of age (less than or greater than 40 years);
- The seniority of taking antibiotics;
- The most impacted IBD (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis).
These new data shed new light on the possible environmental causes of IBD and on the need to limit antibiotic prescriptions. The fight once morest antibiotic resistance is not the only objective of a more rational use of antibiotics. It would also help maintain gut health. The underlying mechanisms, for example the impact of antibiotics on the microbiota, remain to be explored.
Estelle B., Doctor of Pharmacy
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