Incidence of inflammatory bowel disease in five geographical areas of Uruguay in the biennial 2007-2008.

INTRODUCTION

The incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is different according to the geographical areas. No data on the incidence of IBD in Uruguay are available.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the incidence of IBD, ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), in five areas of Uruguay and to compare the results with those from other geographical regions.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: A prospective study was performed in five areas of Uruguay during 2007-2008. The study population included 645,695 inhabitants. Multiple independent sources were used for the uptake of cases. Patients older than 14 years and living in the selected areas were included only after reviewing their medical history. Confirmed IBD was defined by a standard protocol after one year of follow up.

RESULTS

A total of 34 cases were diagnosed in the study period, 29 UC and 5 CD. Crude incidence rate for IBD was 2.63 per 100,000 inhabitants/year, 2.25 and 0.39 for UC and CD, respectively. Adjusted rates were 4.26 per 100,000 inhabitants/year for UC and 0.74 per 100,000 inhabitants/year for CD. The UC/CD ratio was 5.8. The average age for IBD was 40.7 years. No statistically significant differences were found between UC and CD by age (P = 0.267) or gender (P = 0.489).

CONCLUSIONS

Incidence rates of IBD place Uruguay in the regions of low incidence. As it has been described in low-incidence countries, UC is more common than CD. This study establishes a precedent to follow the evolution of IBD epidemiology in Uruguay.