Understanding Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Seoul, Korea

Epidemiology of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in the Songpa-Kangdong District, Seoul, Korea.

Observational Asan Medical Center · NCT01731665

This study looks at how common Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are in a part of Seoul, Korea, and how these diseases have changed over time to help better understand their effects on people.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment2000 (estimated)
SexAll
SponsorAsan Medical Center Academic / other
Locations1 site (Seoul)
Trial IDNCT01731665 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to evaluate the incidence, prevalence, clinical characteristics, and prognosis of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis in the Songpa-Kangdong district of Seoul, Korea, over a 30-year period from 1986 to 2017. The research will analyze long-term trends in the epidemiology of these inflammatory bowel diseases, which are characterized by chronic inflammation of the gut. The study will also investigate the clinical features at diagnosis and the evolution of the diseases over time, providing valuable insights into their impact in the region.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are individuals diagnosed with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis who meet specific clinical criteria.

Not a fit: Patients without a confirmed diagnosis of Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance understanding of inflammatory bowel disease trends and improve patient management in Korea.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have indicated a rising incidence of inflammatory bowel disease in Korea, suggesting that this research could build on existing knowledge.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Definite cases of CD and UC

Patients are diagnosed with CD if they meet at least 2 of the following criteria:

1. clinical history of abdominal pain, weight loss, malaise, diarrhea, and/or rectal bleeding
2. endoscopic findings of mucosal cobblestoning, linear ulceration, skip areas, or perianal disease
3. radiologic findings of stricture, fistula, mucosal cobblestoning, or ulceration
4. macroscopic appearance of bowel wall induration, mesenteric lymphadenopathy, and "creeping fat" at laparotomy
5. pathologic findings of transmural inflammation and/or epithelioid granulomas

Only patients who meet these criteria for at least 2 months are included.

Patients are diagnosed with UC only if all 3 of the following criteria are present

1. a typical history of diarrhea or blood and pus or both in the stool for longer than 4 weeks
2. a typical sigmoidoscopic or colonoscopic picture with diffusely granular, friable, or ulcerated mucosa without rectal sparing or skip lesions or radiological signs of characteristic continuous granular or ulcerated mucosa
3. characteristic histopathological signs of inflammation on biopsy

Exclusion Criteria:

* IBD unclassified
* Ethnic groups other than Korean

Where this trial is running

Seoul

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Crohn's DiseaseUlcerative ColitisEpidemiologyKoreaCrohn's diseaseulcerative colitisepidemiology
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.