Mici, over 250 thousand Italians affected. Incidence constantly increasing

Roma. “IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) is a disease characterized by chronic inflammation of the intestinal wall that causes diarrhea, pain, weakness and weight loss. These diseases affect over 250 people in Italy, with a constantly increasing incidence, and have an onset especially at a young age, between 15 and 40 years.

Patients with IBD may also suffer from inflammation in other parts of the body such as joints, skin and eyes, and in about half of the cases the disease has a medium-severe progression that significantly impacts daily life”.

Professor Alessandro Armuzzi, head of the IBD Unit at the Humanitas Clinical Institute in Rozzano and professor of Gastroenterology at Humanitas University, made this known during his speech today at Roma at the presentation of the second edition of 'Voci di pancia', the awareness campaign promoted by Lilly with the patronage of Amici Italia, Ig-Ibd (Italian Group for the study of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases) and Ifcca (International Federation of Crohn's & Ulcerative Colitis Association).

The initiative was born with the aim of providing “concrete answers” ​​to the needs of patients living with a Chronic Inflammatory Bowel Disease. “First of all,” they said, “those that concern sexuality and the possibility of becoming parents, but also those that arise at school or in the workplace, or even in moments of sociality and conviviality.”

The campaign, in particular, collects the work of listening to the emotions of patients carried out during the first edition and elaborates them into actions, so as to "also involve the institutions and push them to commit to improving the management of the disease and the quality of life of patients".

These, in particular, are the pillars on which 'Voci di pancia' is based: the 'Manifesto of Actions', which identifies three spheres of interest and for each makes a concrete proposal; on the study/work front, the introduction of tax incentives or contribution relief for companies that offer flexible work options to employees affected by IBD and recognition of disability (Law 104) and the establishment of specific training courses for teaching staff in schools/universities.

In the area of ​​sexuality/parenting, again, the creation of training courses for doctors and healthcare workers on how to empathetically address the topic of sexuality and actively support patients with IBD. Finally, regarding conviviality and nutrition, the creation of Nutritional Guidelines by the Ministry of Health that help identify ideal foods and food options during the different phases of the pathology.

“MICs cannot be seen and, precisely because they are invisible, they are often not understood,” said Salvo Leone, general director of AMICI Italia and Chairman of the Ifcca. “But behind every patient there is a silent battle, made of pain, urgency, tiredness, loneliness that often affects not only the person but the entire family unit.

Today we want to break this silence. It is not just a medical issue: it is a question of rights, of dignity, of quality of life. With the 'Manifesto of Actions' we ask for real, concrete change, that starts from the Institutions and arrives in everyday life. And we also address patients: you are not alone, you must not be ashamed. Your voice counts. 'Voci di Pancia' is really .

Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease, meanwhile, are the two most common IBDs. Cu involves the colon and causes the development of ulcers in the mucosa, the most superficial layer of the intestinal wall, causing debilitating symptoms such as abdominal pain, urgent evacuation, rectal bleeding and chronic fatigue, seriously compromising the quality of life of patients - explained Professor Massimo Claudio Fantini, general secretary of Ig-Ibd, full professor of Gastroenterology at the University of Cagliari and director of the Complex Structure of Gastroenterology of the AOU of Cagliari - In Crohn's disease, however, the inflammation involves the entire thickness of the intestinal wall and causes the formation of deep wounds, causing diarrhea and pain more frequently in the lower right part of the abdomen.

Due to the symptoms that characterize them, IBD not only has a physical impact - he concluded - but generates a significant psychological and social burden, too often underestimated".

Finally, Federico Villa, Associate VP Corporate Affairs and Patient Access Italy Hub at Lilly, said Our commitment is to improve people's lives, not only through pharmacological innovation. The 'Voci di Pancia' campaign is an example of how we interpret this role: being alongside patients and scientific societies to listen and collect their needs and, together, try to build a better world.

IBDs are often invisible diseases but have a very significant impact on the lives of those affected. We want to help people and their families lighten the burden of these diseases in their daily lives”.