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Numerous studies document rising incidence rates of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). A recent population-based study from Sweden illustrates the magnitude of the increase in ulcerative colitis (UC). Data were examined retrospectively but collected prospectively, in a setting with little apparent risk for ascertainment bias, loss of patients to private physicians, or change in the local population with regard to immigration.
During the study period of more than 4 decades (1963–2010), annual incidence rates of UC increased from 4 to 18 per 100,000 and prevalence rates increased from 44 to 474 per 100,000. Disease progression at 10 years after diagnosis was evident in 35% of patients with proctitis at diagnosis compared with 19% of those with …