Epidemiological profile of inflammatory bowel disease in Caxias do Sul, Brazil: a cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Inflammatory bowel diseases affect mostly young patients and have a huge impact on their quality of life and growing treatment costs. Currently, there are few Brazilian studies concerning their epidemiological profile. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe the regional clinical and epidemiological profile of these pathological conditions in Caxias do Sul, Brazil. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study in Caxias do Sul (RS), Brazil. METHODS: A search for patients was conducted in the municipality's special medications pharmacy using the International Class...