Infectious gastroenteritis and risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease.
OBJECTIVE
Infectious gastroenteritis (IGE) is known to exacerbate previously diagnosed inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, limited data are available describing a causal link between IGE and incident IBD.


METHODS
By using a medical encounter data repository of active duty military personnel, a study was conducted to assess IBD risk in subjects with an antecedent case of IGE.


RESULTS
Between 1999 and 2006, there were 3019 incident IBD cases and 11,646 matched controls who were evaluated in a conditional logistic regression model. To control for potential misclassification, IGE episodes within 6 months of IBD diagnosis were excluded as exposures. After adjusting for potential confounders, an episode of IGE increased the risk of IBD (odds ratio, 1.40; 95% confidence interval, 1.19-1.66). The risk was slightly higher for Crohn's disease compared with ulcerative colitis. In addition, there was an approximate 5-fold increase in IBD risk for persons with a previous irritable bowel syndrome diagnosis.


CONCLUSIONS
These data support theories that the initiation of IBD is a multifactorial process that might include the disruption of normal gut homeostatic mechanisms. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the pathogen-specific risks, identify susceptible populations, and better understand the pathophysiologic relationship between IGE and IBD.
Porter
Chad K
CK
Enteric Diseases Department, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910-7500, USA. chad.porter@med.navy.mil
Tribble
David R
DR
Aliaga
Pablo A
PA
Halvorson
Heather A
HA
Riddle
Mark S
MS
D000328:Adult; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000209:etiology*; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors