EPIDEMIOLOGY OF CROHNS-DISEASE IN SOUTHERN ISRAEL

Objectives: Crohn's disease in Israel was described in the past as bei ng of low incidence, more common in Europe-America-born Jews than othe r Jews, and of uncharacteristically low morbidity. However, recent exp erience has suggested that these premises are no longer correct. Metho ds: The records of all hospital and outpatient cases of Crohn's diseas e in southern Israel for the period 1968-1992 were reviewed. Private f amily practitioners and specialists were contacted to assure complete case ascertainment. Results: The prevalence rate of Crohn's disease am ong Jews on December 31, 1992, was 50.6/10(5) (Asia-Africa-born Jews 5 5.0/10(5), Europe-America-born Jews 58.7/10(5)), and the rate was 8.2/ 10(5) among Bedouin Arabs. The annual incidence rate (1987-1992) was c alculated as 4.2/10(5)/yr in Jews (Asia-Africa-born 4.6/10(5)/yr, Euro pe-America-born 3.9/10(5)/yr). The age of presentation declined progre ssively over the study period, was lower in Israel-born patients than immigrants, and was lower in ileocolonic versus other sites of disease . Conclusions: The data show that Crohn's disease has become more comm on in Jews in Israel, losing ethnic differences of frequency, and that it occurs at a younger age than before. In Arabs, the disease is more rare.