{
  "id": 15504441,
  "title": "Warning signs could predict inflammatory bowel disease a decade before diagnosis",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/warning-signs-could-predict-inflammatory-bowel-disease-a-decade",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-10-18T22:01:10.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Guardian Health",
    "slug": "guardian-health",
    "url": "https://www.theguardian.com/science/2026/oct/18/research-predict-inflammatory-bowel-disease-decade-before-diagnosis"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Researchers have discovered patterns of antibodies in blood that may predict the onset of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) up to a decade before diagnosis, potentially enabling earlier detection and prevention of the condition. Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, the two primary forms of IBD, are typically treated after symptoms appear, at which point the gut has already sustained damage. Dr Arno Bourgonje from the University Medical Centre Groningen and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai explained that the disease begins years before symptoms emerge, and the immune system produces warning signals long before diagnosis. At least 3.8 million individuals worldwide suffer from IBD, a condition that causes chronic inflammation of the digestive tract, leading to pain, diarrhea, and fatigue. While treatment currently involves anti-inflammatory and immune-suppressing drugs, many patients do not respond, and a significant number require surgery to remove damaged bowel sections. Inflammation also raises the risk of bowel cancer, prompting scientists to seek earlier signs of disease. The researchers examined blood samples from US military personnel, analyzing 2,000 samples from 500 people, 200 of whom later developed Crohn's disease, 200 who developed ulcerative colitis, and 100 who developed neither condition. They identified antibody patterns against Epstein-Barr virus in those who went on to develop Crohn's disease, with stronger signals in those with more severe disease. Ulcerative colitis showed a different antibody pattern, including antibodies against one of the body's own proteins. While the findings need confirmation in other groups and do not prove the infections cause IBD, they offer a promising step towards earlier detection and potential prevention of the condition.",
  "summary": "Antibody patterns in the blood may help doctors identify people at risk so they can be treated earlier, research shows Patterns of antibodies in people’s blood could predict the onset of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) a decade before diagnosis, according to research that raises hopes for catching the condition early. Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, the two main forms of IBD, are…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}