Smoking Influences Crohn's Disease

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Smoking Influences Crohn's Disease - Effect Seen On Location,

Severity Of The Disease In The Gastrointestinal Tract

02 May 2007

A new study in The American Journal of Gastroenterology suggests that

smoking may determine which part of the intestinal tract is attacked

in those who suffer from Crohn's disease. Where the disease is

located often determines whether the patient will eventually require

surgical treatment.

" In patients who smoke, Crohn's disease tends to appear more

frequently in the small intestine, rather than the colon, " says study

author Dr. n Aldhous. " Our data shows that when Crohn's disease

is located here, it tends to cause more penetrating or obstructive

damage, which would have to be treated by surgery. "

The results of this study raise interesting questions about why

smoking would affect different parts of the intestine in different

ways. " Fundamental differences in small and large bowel physiology

may explain the differences in location of Crohn's disease in

smokers, " says Aldhous. " The effects of smoking should be further

investigated, to understand why smoking has a differential effect on

different parts of the bowel. "

If you are interested in other gastro studies related to smoking,

please see a study published in the March issue of AJG on how the

smoking habit and load influence the age at diagnosis and disease

extent in ulcerative colitis. Researchers examined data on smoking

habits, smoking load, age at diagnosis, surgery and disease extent

from 499 patients with ulcerative colitis. Researchers found smoking

habit influences the age at diagnosis and changes in disease extent

in ulcerative colitis. Read the abstract.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com