Is childhood helminth exposure protective against inflammatory bowel disease : a case control study in South Africa?
This study demonstrates a protective association of childhood helminth infection against the development of IBD and supports the "hygiene hypothesis" that improved living conditions may increase the incidence of IBD. Our epidemiologic conclusions provide support that helminths may have immunomodulatory effects which provides protection against the development of IBD later in life.
In the group of overweight patients, the group of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome is a particular group showing more severe metabolic changes.