Dr. Saleh provided crucial insights into this chronic condition, emphasizing the importance of early detection and the dramatic positive shift in treatment, particularly with the introduction of biosimilars.

What is IBD?

Dr. Saleh clarifies that IBD is a chronic, progressive autoimmune disease. It is not caused by something the patient did wrong, but rather the immune system aggressively attacking the body’s own digestive tract.

Crucially, IBD is often confused with IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). The difference is key:

• IBS: A functional problem, often stress-related, with no organic (physical) damage to the bowel.
• IBD: An organic condition where the body’s immune system causes inflammation and damage.

IBD is classified mainly into two types:

1. Ulcerative Colitis (UC): Inflammation is confined to the colon.
2. Crohn’s Disease (CD): Inflammation can affect any part of the GI tract, from the mouth to the anus.

Beyond the digestive system, IBD can also manifest in extra-intestinal areas, affecting the joints, eyes, skin, and liver.

The Five Alarm Symptoms You Cannot Ignore

Early detection is vital, but patients often delay seeking help, sometimes dismissing early symptoms as simply eating “something wrong.” Dr. Saleh stresses that patients must seek medical attention if they experience any of the following alarm symptoms:

1. Weight Loss despite eating normally.
2. Persistent Abdominal Pain lasting more than 1–2 weeks.
3. Profuse Diarrhea with mucus and, most critically, blood.
4. Fever that persists intermittently.
5. Perianal Issues (often a sign of aggressive Crohn’s disease).

Diagnosis involves ruling out simpler conditions like infection or IBS, followed by lab work (checking inflammatory markers and anemia), stool tests (like Calprotectin), and finally, endoscopies with biopsies to confirm the diagnosis.

The Revolution of Biological Therapies and Biosimilars

Since IBD is an autoimmune disease, it has no definitive cure, but it is highly manageable. Treatment has evolved significantly:

• Past Treatments: Standard immunosuppressants and steroids, which often led to long-term side effects.
• Biological Therapies (Starting 2001/2005): These are complex medicines that target specific parts of the immune system to stop the aggressive attack on the gut.
• The Power of Biosimilars: Dr. Saleh emphasized that biosimilars are not “cheaper” versions, but rather less cost options that maintain the same safety, efficacy, and quality as the original biologicals. Their introduction is key to providing better access to life-changing treatment globally.

Ustekinumab (Stelara) was highlighted as a major breakthrough, often called the “mother of knowledge” for this class of drugs. This medicine blocks Interleukins, which are receptors that initiate the immune attack. Dr. Saleh has seen patients respond very quickly, often after the very first dose, making it highly effective for inducing and maintaining remission.

IBD in the UAE: Less Aggressive, Highly Manageable

Drawing on his extensive international experience, Dr. Saleh noted that IBD in the Middle East and UAE tends to be less aggressive than cases he has seen in Europe (e.g., fewer severe, complex fistulas in Crohn’s patients).

Crucially, the healthcare system in the UAE is supportive: insurance companies and governing bodies are increasingly accepting biosimilars as a first-line treatment option, ensuring that more patients can access these highly effective, less costly medicines.

The final message is one of optimism: IBD is a manageable condition. With expert care and the continued evolution of medicine, including advanced biologicals and their less cost biosimilars, patients can look forward to living normal, healthy lives.

In partnership with Ashro Group of Companies