Crohn's disease risk factors: Difference between revisions
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{{Crohn's disease}} | {{Crohn's disease}} | ||
{{CMG}} | {{CMG}} | ||
==Overview== | |||
==Risk Factors== | ==Risk Factors== | ||
Although the cause of Crohn's disease is not known, it is believed to be an [[autoimmunity|autoimmune disease]] that is [[genetics|genetically]] linked. The highest relative risk occurs in siblings, affecting males and females equally. | Although the cause of Crohn's disease is not known, it is believed to be an [[autoimmunity|autoimmune disease]] that is [[genetics|genetically]] linked. The highest relative risk occurs in siblings, affecting males and females equally. | ||
Revision as of 18:43, 13 June 2016
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Risk Factors
Although the cause of Crohn's disease is not known, it is believed to be an autoimmune disease that is genetically linked. The highest relative risk occurs in siblings, affecting males and females equally.
- Smokers are three times more likely to get Crohn's disease. [1]
- Ethnic background is also a risk factor. Until very recently, whites and European Jews accounted for the vast majority of the cases in the United States, and in most industrialized countries, this demographic is still true.
- Proven environmental risk factors include:
- Living in an industrialized country
- Diets high in sweet, fatty or refined foods may also play a role. A retrospective Japanese study found that those diagnosed with Crohn's disease had higher intakes of sugar, fat, fish and shellfish than controls prior to diagnosis.
- Certain chemicals in the diet, known as microparticles, are also hypothesized as a risk factor for the disease, as well as a poor imbalance of omega-6 to healthy omega-3 fatty acids that emerging research shows helps to improve all types of inflammatory disease. The most common forms of microparticles include titanium dioxide, aluminosilicates, anatase, calcium phosphate, and soil residue. These substances are ubiquitous in processed food and most toothpastes and lip glosses. Soil residue is found on fresh fruits and vegetables unless carefully removed.
- The introduction of hormonal contraception in the United States in the 1960's is linked with a dramatic increase in the incidence rate of Crohn's disease. Although a causal linkage has not been effectively shown, there remain fears that these drugs work on the digestive system in similar ways to smoking.[2]
Additionally, many in the scientific community believe that early childhood exposure to illness is necessary to the creation of a proper immune system for those with the genetic susceptibility for Crohn's Disease. Like polio, higher incidences of Crohn's Disease are associated with cleaner living conditions. CD is also associated with first born and single children (because they would have less exposure to childhood illness from siblings) and in populations that have low incidences of gastric cancer. Gastric cancer is most often caused by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori that flourishes in cramped and unsanitary conditions.[3]
References
- ↑ Cosnes J (2004). "Tobacco and IBD: relevance in the understanding of disease mechanisms and clinical practice". Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol. 18 (3): 481–96. PMID 15157822.
- ↑ Lesko S, Kaufman D, Rosenberg L; et al. (1985). "Evidence for an increased risk of Crohn's disease in oral contraceptive users". Gastroenterology. 89 (5): 1046–9. PMID 4043662.
- ↑ Morris, Danielle L (2000-11-18). "Early environmental factors may have role in both Crohn's disease and gastric carcinoma - Letter to the Editor". British Medical Journal. Retrieved 2008-01-16. Unknown parameter
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