A new study found women living in the southern latitudes of the U.S. have significantly lower rates of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, according to findings published in Gut.
Researchers analyzed data from 175,912 women enrolled in the Nurses' Health Study I in 1976 and the NHS II in 1989. Follow-up data from 2003 found 257 cases of Crohn's disease and 313 cases of ulcerative colitis. Researches determined the multivariate-adjusted hazard ratio for women living in southern latitudes compared with those living in northern latitudes at age 30 was 0.48 for Crohn's disease and 0.62 for ulcerative colitis. The association held even after researchers accounted for differences in self-reported ancestry, smoking and other environmental factors.
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Researchers analyzed data from 175,912 women enrolled in the Nurses' Health Study I in 1976 and the NHS II in 1989. Follow-up data from 2003 found 257 cases of Crohn's disease and 313 cases of ulcerative colitis. Researches determined the multivariate-adjusted hazard ratio for women living in southern latitudes compared with those living in northern latitudes at age 30 was 0.48 for Crohn's disease and 0.62 for ulcerative colitis. The association held even after researchers accounted for differences in self-reported ancestry, smoking and other environmental factors.
Related Articles on Gastroenterology:
Fecal Immunochemical Test Now Available to Patients at Home
Study: Bariatric Surgery Not as Effective for Diabetes Remission as Previously Thought
The Colon Cancer Screening Controversy: How Old is Too Old to Screen?