Relationship between Using Detergents and the Risk of Ulcerative Colitis in Mazandaran, Iran 2014-17

Background and purpose: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of mucosal inflammatory problems affecting the small or large intestine. Since last century, the incidence of IBD has been constantly increasing, afflicting the majority of urban population in developed societies. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between using detergents and the risk of ulcerative colitis (UC). Materials and methods: In this case-control trial, 65 patients with new-onset UC and 135 healthy people were examined during 2014-17 in Sari Imam Khomeinin Hospital. Demographic features and information about exposure to detergents and bleaches were recorded using a researceher-made questionnaire. SPSS V20 was used to investigate the association between exposure to detergents and development of UC and the logistic regression model was used to adjust for potential confounding factors. Results: According to findings, gender (P= 0.012), age (P= 0.009), job (P<0.001), and using detergents (P<0.001) were associated with UC. Compared to those who were occasional consumers of detergents, the chances of UC, after adjustment for potential confounding factors such as gender, age, and job, were 4, 23, 26, and 104 times higher in patients who used detergents monthly, every other week, weekly, and daily, respectively. Conclusion: Frequent exposure to detergents can be among the factors influencing the development of UC.