Environmental factors in inflammatory bowel disease: A co-twin control study of a Swedish-Danish twin population

• DOI: 10.1097/01.mib.0000228998.29466.ac
• Publication Date: 2006-09-28T09:10:53Z
• Authors: Jonas Halfvarson; Tine Jess; Anders Magnuson; Scott M. Montgomery; Marianne Orholm; Curt Tysk; Vibeke Binder; Gunnar Järnerot
• Keywords: Etiology; Danish

Genetics and environmental factors are implicated in the etiology of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We studied a population-based Swedish-Danish twin cohort using co-twin control method.A questionnaire was sent to 317 pairs regarding markers exposures following areas: infections/colonization diet as well smoking, appendectomy, oral contraceptives. Odds ratios (OR) were calculated by conditional logistic regression. When confounding appeared plausible, multivariate regression added. The questions also divided into topic groups, adjustment made for multiple testing within each groups.The response rate 83%. In consideration study design, only discordant included (Crohn's [CD], n = 102; ulcerative colitis [UC], 125). Recurrent gastrointestinal infections associated with both UC (OR, 8.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0-64) CD 5.5; CI, 1.2-25). Hospitalization 12; 1.6-92). Smoking inversely 0.4; 0.2-0.9) 2.9; 1.2-7.1).The observed associations indicate that possible infectious events may influence risk IBD. Some these effects might be mediated long-term changes gut flora or alterations reactivity flora. smoking IBD confirmed.