Prevalence of Crohn’s disease – Part 3

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Although usually diagnosed in a population whose age varies between 10 and 30 years old, Crohn’s disease, however, can occur at any age, including childhood. We identify this disease especially in so-called developed countries where it tends to increase since the 1950s in Canada for example, it affects about 50 people / 100 000, but in very different ways depending on geographical regions. Nova Scotia (province) is known to be the place in the world where there are as many cases of Crohn’s disease with a prevalence rate of 319 per 100,000 people. In Japan, Romania and South Korea, the numbers are less than 25%.

Caused by chronic inflammation of the walls and the deep layers of the digestive tract, it can cause a thickening of the walls in some places, cracks and wounds to others. The causes of inflammation are unknown and likely multiple, involving genetic factors, autoimmune and environmental. There is talk of autoimmune factors because just as ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease has characteristics of autoimmune disease. Some researchers believe that the inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract would be excessive in relation to the body immune response against viruses or bacteria in the gut. As for environmental factors, several possibilities remain under consideration.

The incidence is higher in industrialized countries, although no specific factor has been detected to date. This suggests that these factors are probably related to the Western way of life that could have a real influence on the development of this pathology. Taking certain antibiotics tetracycline class is a potential risk factor. It also appears that smokers are more likely to develop the disease. Too sedentary people are more affected than those that are active. Although no evidence has been formally established, it is believed, however, that it is possible that a diet high in bad fats, sugar or meat increases the risk.

By Aissatou KOUROUMA

Email: Aissatoukourouma21@gmail.com
Phone: 06 95 78 72 34