ASPECTS OF THE EPIDEMIOLOGY OF CROHNS-DISEASE IN THE JEWISH POPULATION IN BEER-SHEVA, ISRAEL

Abstract

The mean annual incidence of Crohn''s disease in Jews in the Beer Sheva district of Israel per 105 population was 1.1 for the period 1961-1980 and 1.8 for the period 1976-1980. The crude prevalence rate on Dec. 31, 1980 was 14.0/105 population. The unadjusted prevalence rates by place of birth were: Israeli-born 6.9, European/American-born 24.6 and Asian/African-born 19.4 per 105 population. The age-adjusted prevalence rates were: Israeli-born 9.7, European/American-born 15.8 and Asian/African-born 12.5 per 105 population. Crohn''s disease has a low prevalence in Jews in this district. Crohn''s disease is not as uncommon in Asian/African-born Jews as was previously thought. The low crude rate of Crohn''s disease in Israeli-born Jews in this district is partially accounted for by the age distribution of the population. Environmental rather than genetic factors appear to determine the incidence of Crohn''s disease in this district.