Object: To study the frequency of inflammatory bowel disease in our area.
Material and methods: A retrospective, hospital-based analysis identifying potential cases, with a posterior study of case records following a predefined protocol, according to international standards in diagnosis.
Patients: All patients with a confirmed diagnosis of Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or indeterminate colitis established between 1975 and 1992 at our Hospital.
Results: 222 cases (ulcerative colitis: 109; Crohn's disease 93; indeterminate colitis 20) were identified and a clear trend for an increased incidence was found for the three diagnoses; with annual incidence below 1 for them all in the 1975-1977 period versus 3.66; 3.33; and 1 respectively in the 1990-1992 period. This trend was evident both for ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.
Conclusions: The global frequency of inflammatory bowel disease has increased in the last years in Zaragoza (Spain), and its incidence in now very similar to that reported in northern European countries. Possible factors associated with this phenomenon should be pursued in future studies.