title: The association between the intake of specific dietary components and lifestyle factors and microscopic colitis.
abstract: The incidence of microscopic colitis (MC) has increased over the previous decades. In addition to smoking and drugs, currently unidentified environmental factors may have a role. The aim of this study was to determine whether specific dietary or other lifestyle factors were associated with the development of MC.
  
  
  
  The population-based cohort Malmö Diet and Cancer Study of 28 095 individuals was examined. Information about dietary habits was collected by a modified diet history method. Data on anthropometry were measured, and socio-economic and lifestyle factors were collected by questionnaires. Cases of MC were identified in medical registers. Associations were estimated using Cox regression analysis.
  
  
  
  During a 22-year period, 135 patients were diagnosed with MC. Intakes of protein, carbohydrates, sucrose, saturated fat, monounsaturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, omega-3 or omega-6 fatty acids, fibre and zinc were not associated with MC. We could verify the previously reported association between MC and smoking (hazard ratio (HR): 2.29; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.66-3.84) and the female gender (HR: 3.57; 95% CI: 2.22-5.74). High alcohol consumption was associated with an increased risk for MC (HR: 1.89 for the highest quartile; 95% CI: 0.82-4.33, P for trend=0.032). In a post hoc analysis, alcohol intake including all patients independently of consumption seemed to reduce the smoking-related risk.
  
  
  
  Despite a large cohort and a long follow-up period, we could not detect any dietary risk factors for MC. The aetiological mechanisms behind the positive impact of smoking and alcohol on MC risk should be investigated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Department of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Malmö, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden.
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Larsson
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease-Genetic Epidemiology, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sonestedt
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Division of Internal Medicine, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ohlsson
authors.affiliation: The Malmö Diet and Cancer Study, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Skåne University Hospital, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Manjer
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Department of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Malmö, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sjöberg
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D046728:Colitis, Microscopic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology