chronic, relapsing, immune mediated inflammatory disease of the COLON, also associated with extra intestinal manifestations.

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rectum → cecum in continuous fashion

• broad, shallow ulcers in mucosa ONLY </aside>

Demographics

~30yo, Ashkenazi Jewish

Aetiology

• Genetic susceptibility
  • 15% family history, 30-59% concordance in twins.
  • HLA antigen DR1
• Environmental Factor: Gut flora.
  • Hygiene hypothesis
    • IBD more common in western than in developing countries (Hygiene theory).
• Immune dysfunction → Autoimmunity

Risk Factors

• Genetic predisposition (e.g., HLA-B27 association)
• Ethnicity (individuals of Ashkenazi Jewish descent)
• Family history of inflammatory bowel disease
• Episodes of previous intestinal infection
• Increased fat intake (esp. saturated fat and animal fat)
• Oral contraceptive intake