Closing in on the Riddle of Crohn’s

CROHN’S disease affects one in 500 people and is more prevalent in women than men. The cause is not yet known.

Newcastle University and the Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are spearheading national research into genetic factors which may increase susceptibility.

Nick Thompson, a consultant gastroenterologist at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital who is involved with the research, said: “We don’t know what causes Crohn’s, but we do know that there are genetic factors which increase susceptibility but don’t make getting it inevitable.

“We think about 20% of the cause of Crohn’s may be genetic. This may play a role in making someone more likely to get it and also affect how severe their condition is and how they respond to therapy.”

Dr Thompson said through the research, which has already identified specific genes which affect Crohn’s, he hopes to be able to make drugs more targeted for treating patients.

There is much speculation as to the involvement of lifestyle factors such as diet as a cause of the disease but smoking actually doubles your chance of getting Crohn’s.

(c) 2008 The Journal – Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.