The incidence of Crohn's disease in Cardiff over the last 75 years: an update for 1996-2005

Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2008 Feb 1;27(3):211-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2007.03576.x. Epub 2007 Nov 14.

Abstract

Background: The incidence of Crohn's disease rose rapidly in industralized countries over the past 50 years, but it is unclear whether the incidence is still rising or has reached a plateau.

Aims: To update the long-term incidence study of Crohn's disease in Cardiff for 1996-2005, to investigate whether incidence is still rising and to study changes in disease characteristics over time.

Method: Crohn's cases identified by retrospective analysis of hospital records as in previous studies in Cardiff.

Results: Two hundred and twelve cases were identified. Corrected incidence for this decade was 66 x 10(6) per year (95% confidence interval: 58-76), showing a continuing rise compared to previous decades. The proportion with colonic disease at presentation continues to rise (43%) with a corresponding fall in those with terminal ileal disease. There remains a strong female preponderance (F:M 1.6:1) as in previous studies. The incidence in children under age 16 continues to rise, and the median age at diagnosis has fallen slightly.

Conclusion: Crohn's disease incidence continues to rise slowly in Cardiff with a continuing increase in those presenting with colonic disease, which is now the commonest disease pattern.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Distribution
  • Age of Onset
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Child
  • Colitis / epidemiology*
  • Confidence Intervals
  • Crohn Disease / epidemiology*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Ileitis / epidemiology*
  • Incidence
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sex Distribution
  • Smoking
  • Statistics, Nonparametric
  • Wales / epidemiology