engleski

A 5-year prospective study of inflammatory bowel disease in Primorsko-goranska county, Croatia

Introduction: It has been sugggested that the incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), is a higher in northern than in southern Europe: Recent epidemiological studies showed the loss of the previously described geographical north-south gradient. The aim of the study was to investigate the incidence of UC and CD in Primorsko-goranska County, Croatia. Aims and methods: For the period 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2004 all new patients diagnosed with IBD were prospectively identified according to standard protocol for case ascertainment and definition. A total of 178 residents(81 females and 97 males) were newly diagnosed as having IBD during study period. Of these 70 had UC and 100 had CD. Eight patients had indeterminated IBD. The data on patients were collected using data form filled by gastroenterologists. Results: Annual-age standardised incidence rates were 4.3/105(95%CI 2.6-6.0)for UC and 7.0/105(95%CI 3.4-10.6)for CD. The highest incidence rate was observed in age group 35-44 years for UC and 25-34 years for CD. The incidence of IBD was higher in the urban than in the rural population, except on the islands. Conclusion: The incidence of IBD was higher than previously observed in Croatia. Our results suggest that CD incidence rate in northerncoastal part of Croatia are currently comparable with those reported in northern Europe.

inflammatory bowel disease; epidemiology; prospective study

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