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New associations of Inflammatory Bowel Disease with clinical and behavioural traits
The cause of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is still being researched but it is believed to involve the interactions of multiple complex factors such as genetics, the immune system, gut microbiome and certain environmental risks. Genetics plays an important role as up to 12% of IBD patients have a family history of IBD, with Crohn’s Disease (CD) having a higher risk compared to Ulcerative Colitis (UC). Past studies analysing the genome of people with IBD showed that there were around 230 gene types associated with IBD. Lifestyle risks are also well known to be associated with IBD. Smokers have a higher chance of developing CD but interestingly smokers that cease smoking have a higher chance of developing UC.
A study published in 2023 with a study size of thousands of patients with IBD has found previously unknown associations of IBD with various clinical and behaviour traits. The study utilised an extensive database of IBD patients which included information about ‘behavioural, diet-related, psychiatric, and clinical’ traits and compared it to the general population.
Some of the interesting correlations included:
- Professional qualifications and obtaining a college/university degree was negatively correlated with IBD
- Major dietary changes within the last 5 years because of illness was positively correlated with IBD
- Certain foods such as white bread were positively correlated with CD whilst other types such as whole meal or wholegrain bread and salad and raw vegetable intake were negatively correlated with CD
- The trait “seen a psychiatrist for nerves, anxiety, tension or depression” was correlated with IBD
- General wellness traits such as “attendance/disability/mobility allowance: disability living allowance” was also corelated with IBD
- Positive association of hay fever with CD
The above relationships should be interpreted to take into account confounding factors. Patients with IBD who have lower socioeconomic status have poorer health outcomes and this may explain the first correlation.Dietary change plays an important role in the development of IBD. Correlations 2 and 3 may be explained by the fact that raw vegetables contain a high amount of vitamin D and fibre which can decrease the risk of developing CD. Correlations 4 and 5 are in keeping with current research that suggests IBD can worsen anxiety and depression and that anxiety and depression can also worsen IBD. The cause for this is believed to be related to increase in proinflammatory markers, gut biome changes and changes to how the nervous system operates.
Further research will need to be undertaken to characterise the correlations between certain traits and IBD as correlation does not equal causation. Any information provided on this article is not aimed as medical advice. If you have any concerns or questions, we recommend you discuss them with your doctor.
The full article can be found here: Atlas Characterizing the Shared Genetic Architecture of Inflammatory Bowel Disease with Clinical and Behavioral Traits | Inflammatory Bowel Diseases | Oxford Academic (oup.com)