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The purpose of this study was to estimate the incidence and prevalence of Crohn's disease (CD) in South-Muntenia, Bucharest-Ilfov and the Southwest region, using data collected from the main referral center in the area, during 2005-2009. Materials and methods A retrospective, descriptive study was conducted based on the 593 patients with CD admitted to the Center of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Fundeni Institute, during this period. The incidence and the prevalence were reported per 100,000 inhabitants aged over 18. Results The incidence and the prevalence between 2005-2009 were estimated at 0.49 /100,000 and 1.88 / 100,000 inhabitants respectively. They both described an oscillating trend between 2005-2009, increasing in 2009 by 32% (p = 0.036) and by 69% (p = 0.000) respectively, as compared to 2005. The sex specific incidence rates was slightly, but not significantly, higher among women (0.59) than men (0.49). The average age at admission was 44. A bimodal age distribution was noticed with two peaks: between 30-39 and 50-59 years old. The highest incidence rate was found in the urban areas (1.09) and Bucharest (0.7). The temporal trend analysis showed that incidence of CD does not suffer significant changes over the interval 2010-2014, predicting an annual incidence rate of 0.52 / 100,000. Conclusion Data collected in the main referral center for the South-Muntenia, Bucharest-Ilfov and Southwest regions during the last five years confirms the previously described low frequency of CD in Romania, the bimodal age distribution and later onset of disease. The male to female ratio is close to unity, suggesting that men and women are generally at similar risk. There is a significant increase in both incidence and prevalence of CD when comparing 2005 with 2009. In term of predicting trends, the incidence of CD appears to be relatively stable, whereas the prevalence understandably rises over the interval 2010-2014. A further prospective multicenter study is necessary in order to assess the precise incidence, prevalence CD in Romania and to make more accurate predictions regarding future trends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Several environmental factors have been associated with onset of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD): smoking, hygiene, microorganisms, oral contraceptive pills (OCPs), non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, appendectomy, diet, breastfeeding, vitamin D, stress and ambient air pollution. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of these factors in a Romanian and Belgian population with IBD. Material and methods: A total of 129 patients with an IBD diagnosis (76 from Romania and 53 from Belgium) participated in an interview and were asked to fill in a questionnaire regarding environmental factors before and after the onset of IBD; 35 Romanian and 21 Belgian healthy individuals constituted the control group. Results: A total of 40 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 89 with Crohn's disease (CD) were included. Gender distribution was 43% males and 57% females. They had a median age of 42 years (range between 19-74 years), a median disease duration of eight years and 79% were in clinical remission. Both Romanian and Belgian IBD patients reported an increased antibiotic consumption before IBD onset compared to controls: 58% vs 10% (p<0.001) and 51% vs 5% (p<0.001), respectively. Belgian IBD patients declared significantly more frequent OCP use (53% vs 9%, p <0.001), they were breastfed in a lower proportion (49% vs 76%, p <0.001) and had experienced a higher level of psychosocial stress (p<0.001). Conclusions: Antibiotic consumption before IBD onset may play a pivotal role in IBD development in both Romanian and Belgian populations. In Belgian patients, OCP consumption, a higher level of psychosocial stress and lack of breastfeeding may also be involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent data reveal changes in the epidemiological and therapeutic trends in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) in Romania. As both incidence and prevalence increase and new possibilities for diagnosis and treatment emerge, the need for highly skilled nurses in the area of IBD becomes a reality, especially considering the particularities of these patients in the hospital, at the outpatient clinic, at home and in their social environment. The present system for general training of nurses and their overspecialization in Gastroenterology, Hepatology or Digestive Endoscopy must keep the pace. A protocol for training IBD nurses and for better assessing their role in patient management is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]