Chouraki V, Savoye G, Dauchet L et al. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2011;33:1133–42.
These authors evaluated trends in IBD incidence in northern France for the 20-year period between 1988 and 2007. Overall, Crohn’s disease incidence increased by nearly 30% during this time-period, while the rate of ulcerative colitis decreased. When analyzing by age group, it was found that the incidence of Crohn’s disease in those aged 10–19 years increased by 71% over the study period; thus, the authors suggest focusing future studies of Crohn’s disease risk on this group.
This study was undertaken to confirm trends in IBD incidence in northern France over a recent 20-year period with a focus on childhood-onset Crohn’s disease. IBD patients recorded in the EPIMAD (Registre des Maladies Inflammatoires Chroniques du Tube Digestif) registry between 1988 and 2007 were included. The EPIMAD registry was developed by researchers who both interviewed gastroenterologists diagnosing cases of IBD in the region and undertook chart review of these cases. Standardized incidence rates were calculated for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis (UC) in the entire population, and separately according to age. Evolution of disease phenotypes at diagnosis was also studied.