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Epidemiology of inflammatory bowel disease among children in Poland. A prospective, population-based, 2-year study,
Katarzyna Karolewska-Bochenek1, Izabella Lazowska-Przeorek, Piotr Albrecht
1Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Medical University of Warsaw, Ul. Dzialdowska 1, PL-01-184 Warsaw, Poland. kasiabochenek@hotmail.com
Insights
The incidence of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in Poland is lower than in Western countries, with a higher relative proportion of ulcerative colitis (UC) and indeterminate colitis (IC). Further research may be needed to explore potential underdiagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Epidemiology
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease Research
Background:
- Pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) incidence is increasing globally.
- No prior prospective epidemiological studies on pediatric IBD in Poland existed.
- This study addresses the need for data on pediatric IBD in Poland.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of new pediatric IBD cases in Poland.
- To characterize new pediatric IBD diagnoses between 2002 and 2004.
- To compare Polish pediatric IBD rates with those in Western countries.
Main Methods:
- Data collected from 24 pediatric gastroenterology centers nationwide.
- Diagnosis of IBD confirmed through clinical, radiological, endoscopic, and histological evaluations.
- Analysis of patient records for new IBD diagnoses.
Main Results:
- Overall pediatric IBD incidence was 2.7 cases/100,000 children/year.
- Crohn's disease (CD) incidence: 0.6; ulcerative colitis (UC): 1.3; indeterminate colitis (IC): 0.8.
- Incidence higher in adolescents (3.7/100,000) than younger children (1.8/100,000).
Conclusions:
- Pediatric IBD incidence in Poland is lower than in Western nations.
- UC and IC constitute a larger proportion of IBD cases in Poland compared to Western countries.
- Findings suggest potential underdiagnosis or misdiagnosis of pediatric IBD in Poland.
Background/Aims:
The incidence of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in Western countries is on the rise. No prospective studies have been conducted on the epidemiology of pediatric IBD in Poland. The aim of the study was to define the characteristics of new pediatric IBD and assess the incidence of new IBD among children in Poland between 2002 and 2004.
Methods:
Patient records from 24 pediatric gastroenterology centers servicing the whole population of Poland were collected. IBD diagnosis was based on clinical, radiological, endoscopic and histological features.
Results:
There were 491 new IBD patients, representing an overall incidence of IBD of 2.7 cases/100,000 children/year. The incidence of Crohn's disease (CD) was 0.6, ulcerative colitis (UC) 1.3, and indeterminate colitis (IC) 0.8. The age-related incidence of IBD was 1.8 in the 0- to 10-year-old age group, rising to 3.7 for the 11- to 18-year age group.
Conclusions:
The overall incidence of IBD (as well as CD, UC and IC) in Poland is lower than that in Western countries. The relative contribution of UC and IC to the overall IBD incidence is higher in Poland than in most Western countries. These findings may suggest a tendency towards under- or misdiagnosis.
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