What is inflammatory bowel disease? What does current medical literature indicate regarding its etiology?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic relapsing inflammatory condition involving the gastrointestinal tract; the term IBD encompasses the two specific diagnoses of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (UC). IBD is thought to involve the activation of T cells (by macrophages) to produce a T H1 immune response (cytokine production) that causes a vicious cycle of chronic inflammation. The mucosal damage from the abnormal immune response can allow the translocation of luminal contents past the tight junctions. This can allow the body to produce antigens to these "leaked in" contents. . The etiology of IBD is still unclear, but it is believed that various environmental factors may be involved as "triggers" for the inflammatory response of the disease; genetics also play an important role in the etiology of the disease. Certain genes are linked to the dysregulation of the gastrointestinal immune response and microbiome and therefore certain individuals are more susceptible than others to develop IBD. IBD has been found to be more prevalent among individuals of Caucasian and Ashkenazi Jewish descent. However, because all genetically susceptible individuals do not develop IBD, and because of the speed at which IBD incidence has increased in certain regions of the world, genetics cannot be the sole factor in the etiology of IBD. Proposed theories regarding the environmental factors associated with IBD involve the hygiene hypothesis, Helicobacter pylori, family size and birth order, urban environment, etc. Smoking, oral contraceptives, appendectomy, diet, breastfeeding, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).