High incidence of inflammatory bowel disease in Australia: A prospective population-based Australian incidence study

Abstract

Background: To date, there have been no population-based epidemiological studies published from Australia concerning the incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Our hypothesis was that the incidence of IBD in Australia is at least as high as other industrialized countries, given similar genetic and environmental risk factors. Methods: A prospective, population-based IBD incidence study was conducted between April 2007 and March 2008 in Greater Geelong, Victoria, Australia. According to 2006 Australian Census data, this comprises an at-risk population of 259,015. Cases were ascertained from multiple overlapping sources. All local general practitioners, gastroenterologists, surgeons, an..