A new study has raised concern about the daily challenges faced by people living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease, revealing that a significant number struggle with moderate-to-severe disability.

The research, led by Olga Maria Nardone from the University of Naples Federico II in Italy, analysed data from multiple studies to understand how deeply the condition affects patients’ lives. The findings were published in the journal Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.

The review looked at 17 studies covering nearly 8,000 patients across 17 countries. It found that around 30 percent of people with IBD experience moderate-to-severe disability, showing that the impact of the disease goes far beyond digestive symptoms.

The situation becomes much more serious when the disease is active. More than half of the patients with active IBD were found to have significant disability, compared to about a quarter of those whose disease was under control. This suggests that flare-ups can greatly worsen a person’s ability to function in daily life.

The study also found differences based on the type of IBD. Patients with Crohn disease were more likely to experience severe disability compared to those with ulcerative colitis.

However, one important finding stood out. Even when the disease is not active and symptoms are under control, many patients continue to face ongoing challenges. Disability does not always disappear during remission, highlighting the long-term impact of the condition.

Researchers say this shows the need for regular assessment of disability in IBD patients, not just focusing on symptoms but also on how the disease affects quality of life.

The findings underline an important message—managing IBD is not only about controlling inflammation, but also about improving overall well-being and daily functioning for patients.