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CRP levels at diagnosis were related to the extent of disease in patients with ulcerative colitis. Phenotype had no influence on CRP levels in patients with Crohn's disease. CRP is a predictor of surgery in subgroups of patients with either ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease.

In this study one of the highest incidences of UC in the world has been found. The classification 'indeterminate colitis' seems reasonable to use in some of the cases to prevent misclassification at the initial stage of diagnosis.

Unemployment or sick leave is more common in IBD patients than in the Norwegian background population. The number of patients receiving DP is significantly increased in women with CD but not in the other patient groups. Unemployment, sick leave, and DP are related to the patient's HRQOL in a negative way, but this effect is most pronounced in patients reporting IBD-related sick leave.