Healthcare utilisation prior to the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel diseases and the influence of livestock exposure: A longitudinal case-control study.

ABSTRACT: An increased prevalence of the inflammatory bowel diseases, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, was found amongst residents in a livestock dense area. We hypothesised that exposure to livestock farms might be a substantial environmental factor that contributes to the development of these diseases and that in the lead up to inflammatory bowel diseases potential risk factors can be identified. This study aimed to investigate the contribution of livestock exposure to the development of these diseases and the clinical events prior to the diagnosis. Electronic health records from 2006-2013 of general practices were used. The study population consisted of patients with a new diagnosis of inflammatory bowel diseases resident in areas with a high (n = 141) or lower (n = 109) livestock density.

SUBMITTER: van der Star BJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5890991 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature