Crohn's Disease and Cold Exposure
Author Information
Author(s): Malekzadeh Fatemeh, Alberti Corinne, Nouraei Mehdi, Vahedi Homayoon, Zaccaria Isabelle, Meinzer Ulrich, Nasseri-Moghaddam Siavosh, Sotoudehmanesh Rasoul, Momenzadeh Sara, Khaleghnejad Reza, Rashtak Shahrooz, Olfati Golrokh, Malekzadeh Reza, Hugot Jean-Pierre
Primary Institution: Digestive Disease Research Center, Medical Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
Hypothesis
Is there an association between Crohn's Disease and exposure to domestic refrigeration during childhood?
Conclusion
The study supports the idea that Crohn's Disease is associated with exposure to domestic refrigeration during childhood.
Supporting Evidence
- Patients were exposed to refrigerators earlier than controls.
- Refrigerator exposure at birth was found to be a risk factor for Crohn's Disease.
- Similar results were found for exposure to freezers at home.
- Other household factors like television and washing machines were also associated with Crohn's Disease.
Takeaway
Kids who grew up with refrigerators might have a higher chance of getting Crohn's Disease when they grow up.
Methodology
A case-control study with 199 Crohn's Disease patients and 207 controls matched for age, using a questionnaire to assess refrigerator exposure.
Potential Biases
Potential biases due to the selection of controls from IBS patients.
Limitations
The study may have uncontrolled biases and the control group may not represent the general population.
Participant Demographics
Mean age of cases was 34 years, with 48.3% females; controls had a mean age of 38 years, with 63.7% females.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.05
Confidence Interval
1.01–4.29
Statistical Significance
p=0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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