The association between childhood environmental exposures and the subsequent development of Crohn's disease in the Western Cape, South Africa.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Environmental factors during childhood are thought to play a role in the aetiolgy of Crohn's Disease (CD). However the association between age at time of exposure and the subsequent development of CD in South Africa is unknown.

Methods

A case control study of all consecutive CD patients seen at 2 large inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) referral centers in the Western Cape, South Africa between September 2011 and January 2013 was performed. Numerous environmental exposures during 3 age intervals; 0-5, 6-10 and 11-18 years were extracted using an investigator administered questionnaire. An agreement analysis was performed to determine the reliability of questionnaire data for all the relevant variables.

Results

This study included 194 CD patients and 213 contr

SUBMITTER: Basson A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4267820 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature