Cause
Risk factors in Crohn's disease vs. ulcerative colitis.
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|---|---|---|
| Crohn's disease | Ulcerative colitis | |
| Smoking | Higher risk for smokers | Lower risk for smokers |
| Age | Usual onset between 15 and 30 years |
Peak incidence between 15 and 25 years |
Crohn's disease seems to be caused by a combination of environmental factors and genetic predisposition. Crohn's is the first genetically complex disease in which the relationship between genetic risk factors and the immune system is understood in considerable detail. Each individual risk mutation makes a small contribution to the overall risk of Crohn's (approximately 1:200). The genetic data, and direct assessment of patient immunity, indicates a malfunction in the innate immune system. In this view, the chronic inflammation of Crohn's is caused when the adaptive immune system tries to compensate for a deficient innate immune system.
Read more about this topic: Crohn's Disease