Modern life' in the epidemiology of inflammatory bowel disease: a case-control study with special emphasis on nutritional factors.
OBJECTIVE
The rising incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) since the Second World War coincides with profound changes of the dietary pattern. The aim of the study was to investigate the possible pathogenic role of some characteristic 'modern life' dietary factors in IBD.


METHODS
Case-control, studying risk factors in recently diagnosed cases, 290 with Crohn's disease and 398 with ulcerative colitis, compared with 616 population controls. Smoking, age, gender and education were taken into account by using logistic regression analysis.


METHODS
Hospital cases and population controls.


METHODS
Questionnaires.


METHODS
Logistic regression-derived odds ratios.


RESULTS
A positive association with cola drinks [OR: 2.2 (95% CI 1.5-3.1)], chewing gum [OR: 1.5 (95% CI: 1.1-2.1)] and chocolate consumption [OR: 2.5 (95% CI: 1.8-3.5)] and a negative association with citrus fruit consumption [OR: 0.5 (95% CI 0.3-0.7)] and the development of Crohn's disease were found. Consumption of cola drinks [OR: 1.6 (95% CI 1.1-2.3)] and chocolate consumption [OR: 2.5 (95% CI 1.8-3.5)] were positively associated with developing ulcerative colitis. There was a negative association between the intake of citrus fruits [OR: 0.5 (95% CI 0.4-0.8)] and 'having a stuffed pet' for a period longer than 5 years [OR: 0.6 (95% CI 0.4-0.9)] and developing the disorder. No association with the frequency of tooth brushing and developing IBD was found.


CONCLUSIONS
All the nutritional items mentioned may be true risk factors or they just might be the expression of a modern life-style also involving other risk factors for the development of IBD which at the present are still unknown.
Russel
M G
MG
Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital Maastricht, The Netherlands. mru@sint.azm.nl
Engels
L G
LG
Muris
J W
JW
Limonard
C B
CB
Volovics
A
A
Brummer
R J
RJ
Stockbrügger
R W
RW
D000328:Adult; D001628:Beverages / Q000009:adverse effects; D002099:Cacao / Q000009:adverse effects; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002638:Chewing Gum / Q000009:adverse effects; D002957:Citrus / Q000009:adverse effects; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D003270:Contraceptive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects
D002638:Chewing Gum; D003270:Contraceptive Agents