sodium-ethylxanthate and Crohn-Disease

The chronic intestinal inflammation that characterises Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis arises from a complex interplay between host genotype, the immune system, and the intestinal microbiota. In addition, environmental factors such as smoking impact on disease onset and progression. Individuals who smoke are more likely to develop Crohn's disease, and smoking is associated with recurrence after surgery and a poor response to medical therapy. Conversely, smoking appears protective against ulcerative colitis and smokers are less likely to require colectomy. The mechanism by which smoking exerts its impact on disease and the rational for the dichotomous effect in patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis is not clear. Recent evidence suggests that smoking induces alterations to both the innate and acquired immune system. In addition, smoking is associated with a distinct alteration in the intestinal microbiota both in patients with active Crohn's disease and healthy subjects.

Topics: Colitis, Ulcerative; Crohn Disease; Disease Progression; Female; Humans; Immunity; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Intestines; Male; Microbiota; Sex; Smoking; Tobacco Smoke Pollution

Topics: Abdomen, Acute; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aging; Crohn Disease; Diarrhea; Female; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage; Humans; Intestinal Fistula; Intestinal Obstruction; Male; Middle Aged; Norway; Sex

The clinical picture of regional enteritis was reviewed in 98 cases collected from five hospitals in the City of Edmonton. There was no apparent racial prevalence, although only one case was reported among Indians and Eskimos. More than one-half had their onset between the ages of 11 and 30 years. Men were more commonly affected than women. The onset in 44 patients was acute and closely mimicked acute appendicitis. Twenty-eight patients had had abdominal surgery prior to the onset of symptoms. Major symptoms were abdominal pain, diarrhea and weight loss. Abdominal tenderness, fever and abdominal mass were the most consistent physical signs. The most valuable diagnostic procedure was radiological examination of the bowel. Complications were largely confined to the gastrointestinal tract. In the majority of cases, surgery was the ultimate form of therapy.

Topics: Abdominal Pain; Acute Disease; Adolescent; Appendectomy; Appendicitis; Canada; Child; Crohn Disease; Diagnosis; Diarrhea; Enteritis; Epidemiology; Female; Gastroenterostomy; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage; Genetics, Medical; Geriatrics; Hemorrhage; Humans; Intestinal Perforation; Male; Sex; Surgical Procedures, Operative

Topics: Adolescent; Child; Colitis; Colitis, Ulcerative; Crohn Disease; Enteritis; Family; Genetics, Medical; Humans; Ileitis; Sex; Statistics as Topic