Sex and gender in inflammatory bowel disease outcomes and research

Vibeke Andersen; Jessica Pingel; Heidi Lynge Søfelt; Zainab Hikmat; Mads Johansson; Vera Slyk Pedersen; Benthe Bertelsen; Anne Carlsson; Marie Lindh; Edda Svavarsdóttir; Dirk Repsilber; Maiken Thyregod Joergensen; Robin Christensen; Anja Fejrskov; Johannes David Füchtbauer; Jens Kjeldsen; Michael Dam Jensen; Claus Aalykke; Martin Rejler; Marte Lie Høivik; Loa Davidsdottir; Marie Carlson; Jonas Halfvarson; Heidi Holt Zachariassen; Liv Baisner Petersen; Eva Sophia Myers

doi:10.1016/S2468-1253(24)00159-6

Sex and gender in inflammatory bowel disease outcomes and research

Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2024 Nov;9(11):1041-1051. doi: 10.1016/S2468-1253(24)00159-6.

Authors

Vibeke Andersen¹, Jessica Pingel², Heidi Lynge Søfelt², Zainab Hikmat², Mads Johansson³, Vera Slyk Pedersen⁴, Benthe Bertelsen⁴, Anne Carlsson⁵, Marie Lindh⁶, Edda Svavarsdóttir⁷, Dirk Repsilber⁸, Maiken Thyregod Joergensen⁹, Robin Christensen¹⁰, Anja Fejrskov¹¹, Johannes David Füchtbauer¹², Jens Kjeldsen¹³, Michael Dam Jensen¹⁴, Claus Aalykke¹⁵, Martin Rejler¹⁶, Marte Lie Høivik¹⁷, Loa Davidsdottir¹⁸, Marie Carlson¹⁹, Jonas Halfvarson²⁰, Heidi Holt Zachariassen²¹, Liv Baisner Petersen²², Eva Sophia Myers²²

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; Molecular Diagnostics and Clinical Research Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Aabenraa, Denmark. Electronic address: [email protected].
² Molecular Diagnostics and Clinical Research Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Aabenraa, Denmark.
³ Mage-tarmforbundet, Nes, Norway.
⁴ The Danish Colitis Crohn Association, Odense, Denmark.
⁵ Tarm-uro-och stomiförbundet ILCO, Stockholm, Sweden.
⁶ The Swedish Stomach and Bowel Association, Stockholm, Sweden.
⁷ Crohn's og Colitis Ulcerosa Samtökin, Reykjavik, Iceland.
⁸ School of Medical Sciences, University of Örebro, Örebro, Sweden.
⁹ Department of Medical Gastroenterology, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Vejle, Denmark.
¹⁰ Section for Biostatistics and Evidence-Based Research, The Parker Institute, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark; Research Unit of Rheumatology, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark and Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.
¹¹ Molecular Diagnostics and Clinical Research Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Aabenraa, Denmark; Section for Biostatistics and Evidence-Based Research, The Parker Institute, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Medical Gastroenterology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.
¹² Research Unit of Medical Gastroenterology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; Research Unit of Medicine Svendborg, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; Department of Medical Gastroenterology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark; Department of Internal Medicine and Emergency, Section of Gastroenterology Svendborg, Odense University Hospital and Svendborg Hospital, Odense, Denmark.
¹³ Research Unit of Medical Gastroenterology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; Department of Medical Gastroenterology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.
¹⁴ Institute of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology, Hospital of South West Jutland and University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg, Denmark.
¹⁵ Research Unit of Medicine Svendborg, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; Department of Internal Medicine and Emergency, Section of Gastroenterology Svendborg, Odense University Hospital and Svendborg Hospital, Odense, Denmark.
¹⁶ Jönköping Academy for Improvement in Health and Welfare, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden; Futurum Academy for Healthcare, Jönköping, Sweden.
¹⁷ Department of Gastroenterology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway; Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
¹⁸ Department of Gastroenterology, Landspitali University Hospital, Reykjavík, Iceland.
¹⁹ Department of Medical Sciences, Gastroenterology Research Group, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
²⁰ Department of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden.
²¹ Committee for Gender Balance and Diversity in Research, Universitets og høgskolerådet, Oslo, Norway.
²² Gender Equality Team, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.

PMID: 39395438
DOI: 10.1016/S2468-1253(24)00159-6

Abstract

Extensive patient heterogeneity is a challenge in the management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Sex and gender, as well as the interaction of sex and gender with other social identities, referred to as intersectionality, contribute to this heterogeneity and might affect IBD outcomes. An interdisciplinary team of clinicians, researchers, patients, and sex and gender experts reviewed current literature on the effect of sex and gender dimensions on IBD outcomes. The team also investigated the role that stakeholders have in advancing sex-based and gender-based IBD knowledge, as comprehensive studies are scarce. Acknowledging and integrating sex and gender into the organisation and content of research (eg, study design, participant recruitment, data analysis, data interpretation, data dissemination, and impact evaluation) could enhance the validity, relevance, and applicability of research. Such gendered innovation has potential for advancing personalised medicine and improving the quality of life for people with IBD.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Biomedical Research
Female
Humans
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases* / psychology
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases* / therapy
Male
Quality of Life
Research Design
Sex Factors