OBJECTIVE:

To determine whether exposure to a measles epidemic in utero or in infancy is a risk factor for the development of Crohn's disease, and to determine whether such an association can be found in individuals with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), a condition in which early infection with measles is known to be of aetiological importance.

METHODS:

A postal questionnaire was sent to 16,875 members of two national inflammatory bowel disease patient support groups. A control group was composed of friends or neighbours. Birth data were compared with the dates of measles epidemics and six possible periods of susceptibility were examined. Birth data from a national register of patients with SSPE were analysed similarly. Previously identified risk factors were also examined.

RESULTS:

The answers from 2522 members and 2379 controls were analysed. We found no evidence of an association between the development of Crohn's disease and exposure to a measles epidemic. The birth dates of both groups were distributed normally throughout the year. No other early risk factor for the development of inflammatory bowel disease was detected. Exposure to a measles epidemic before the age of 1 year did not emerge as a risk factor for SSPE.

CONCLUSION:

These data contradict reports from a recent study in central Sweden, but relatively early exposure to measles in childhood may still be a risk factor for the development of Crohn's disease.