18 Jun 2025 • A study involving nearly 900,000 participants has revealed a compelling bidirectional link between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Key Findings:

• Individuals with IBD had a 44% increased risk of developing RA (HR 1.44), with ulcerative colitis driving much of the association (HR 1.36).
• Conversely, patients with RA were 65% more likely to develop IBD (HR 1.65), including elevated risks for both ulcerative colitis (HR 1.60) and Crohn’s disease (HR 1.65).

These findings strengthen the case for shared pathogenic pathways between the gut and joints and underscore the importance of cross-specialty vigilance in managing chronic inflammatory diseases.

Source: Oxford Academic | Read Full Story