A 20-Year Temporal Change Analysis in Incidence, Presenting Phenotype and Mortality, in the Dutch IBDSL Cohort—Can Diagnostic Factors Explain the Increase in IBD Incidence?

Abstract

The IBD incidence in South Limburg increased significantly between 1991 and 2010. The shift towards milder disease at diagnosis in parallel with the improved diagnostics and ability to detect low-grade inflammation was suggestive of an important role of diagnostic factors in this increase. Environmental factors probably played a role as well. The mortality was low and, together with the increasing incidence, led to the high prevalence of IBD in South Limburg.