Epidemiological data of Crohn's disease in Israel: etiological implications.

We have reviewed the public health aspects of Crohn's disease in Israel. Crohn's disease has increased in frequency in the Jewish population of Israel over the past twenty years, although it is still less common than ulcerative colitis. The increase has occurred in both sexes and in European- and American-born, Asian- and African-born, and Israeli-born Jews. Crohn's disease is, however, less prevalent in Israel than in Jews living abroad, with the exception of European- and American-born Jews who have a high frequency of the disease. Jews originating from middle European countries are at a particularly high risk. The peak age at onset is 20-29 years, with Israeli-born persons developing the disease at a relatively early age. Intestinal cancer is a rare complication in this country. The rate of familial involvement is apparently lower than that reported elsewhere. There are no adequate data on environmental factors causing the disease. The disease remains rare in the Arab population.