Increasing incidence of Crohn's disease.

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Epidemiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Literature reports indicate a growing incidence of Crohn's disease.
• Understanding disease trends is crucial for public health planning and resource allocation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the incidence of Crohn's disease in Spokane, Washington, between 1971 and 1981.
• To assess trends in hospital admissions and surgical procedures for Crohn's disease during the study period.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of first hospitalizations for Crohn's disease at all private Spokane hospitals.
• Calculation of incidence rates per 100,000 population for 1971 and 1981.
• Comparison of admission and operation numbers between the two time points.

Main Results:

• Crohn's disease incidence rose from 5.9 to 8.8 per 100,000 population between 1971 and 1981.
• The 1981 incidence represents the highest reported in the literature to date.
• Admissions and operations for Crohn's disease tripled during the 1971-1981 decade.

Conclusions:

• The findings suggest a true and ongoing increase in Crohn's disease incidence.
• The study highlights potential challenges and limitations in epidemiological incidence studies.
• The rising trend necessitates further investigation into causative factors and healthcare implications.