Microscopic Colitis in Denmark: Regional Variations in Risk Factors and Frequency of Endoscopic Procedures

Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskriftTidsskriftartikelForskningfagfællebedømt

Objective: Microscopic colitis [MC], encompassing collagenous colitis [CC] and lymphocytic colitis [LC], is an increasingly prevalent gastrointestinal disease with an unknown aetiology. Previous research has reported significant differences in the incidence of MC within Denmark, with the lowest incidence found in the most populated region [Capital Region of Denmark]. Our aim was to elucidate the causes of these regional differences. Design: All incident MC patients [n = 14 302] with a recorded diagnosis of CC [n = 8437] or LC [n = 5865] entered in The Danish Pathology Register between 2001 and 2016 were matched to 10 reference individuals [n = 142 481]. Information regarding drug exposure, including proton pump inhibitors [PPIs], selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors [SSRIs], statins, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs], were retrieved from The Danish National Prescription Registry. Information regarding endoscopy rate, smoking-related diseases, and immune-mediated inflammatory diseases were acquired from The Danish National Patient Registry. Results: Smoking, immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, exposure to PPIs, SSRIs, statins, and NSAIDs were significantly associated with MC in all Danish regions. The association between drug exposure and MC was weakest in the Capital Region of Denmark with an odds ratio of 1.8 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.61-2.01). The relative risk of undergoing a colonoscopy with biopsy was significantly increased in sex- and age-matched controls in all regions compared with controls from the Capital Region of Denmark, with the greatest risk found in the Region of Southern Denmark, 1.37 [95% CI: 1.26-1.50]. Conclusions: The cause of the regional differences in MC incidence in Denmark seems to be multifactorial, including variations in disease awareness and distribution of risk factors.

OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftJournal of Crohn's and Colitis
Vol/bind16
Udgave nummer1
Sider (fra-til)49-56
ISSN1873-9946
DOI
StatusUdgivet - 2022

Bibliografisk note

Funding Information:
This study was partly funded by research grants from Tillotts Pharma AG, Lizzi og Mogens Staal Fonden [grant number 2019-0388], and Nordsjaelland Hospital

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation. All rights reserved.

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