Scientists discover major cause of inflammatory bowel disease

Scientists have discovered a major cause of inflammatory bowel disease (David Davies/PA)

Researchers have made a “massive step forwards” with the discovery of a major cause of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), as well as finding that existing drugs could be used to treat the condition.

IBD is the umbrella term for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, and these diseases are becoming more common, with more than half a million people living with IBD in the UK as of 2022, nearly double the 300,000 previously estimated.