INCIDENCE OF CROHNS-DISEASE IN CARDIFF OVER 60 YEARS - 1986-1990 AN UPDATE

Objective: To report the incidence of Crohn's disease in the city of C ardiff between 1986 and 1990 and relate it to our previous incidence f igures which extend over 60 years. Methods: The incidence of Crohn's d isease was examined using hospital diagnostic indices supplemented by records from clinicians and from the Department of Pathology Universit y Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK. In addition, a questionnaire was sen t to all family practitioners in Cardiff asking them to identify patie nts in their practice. Results: Eighty-six new patients were confirmed after reviewing the notes of patients in whom a diagnosis of Crohn's disease was considered. The mean incidence for this quinquennium was 5 .9 cases per 10(5) of the population per year (95% confidence interval 4.7-7.3), with the highest age-specific incidence between those aged 15 and 34 years. Colorectal disease was the most common site of diseas e at the time of diagnosis and this was particularly striking in those aged over 50 years. Conclusions: The findings are related to our prev ious studies. The incidence of Crohn's disease has not continued to in crease at the rate reported in early 1980s, but remains one of the hig hest reported in the literature. The colon has become the most commonl y affected site, which may reflect an increase in diagnostic awareness .