RT Book, Section A1 Jameson, J. Larry A1 Fauci, Anthony S. A1 Kasper, Dennis L. A1 Hauser, Stephen L. A1 Longo, Dan L. A1 Loscalzo, Joseph SR Print(0) ID 1167067741 T1 Inflammatory Bowel Diseases T2 Harrison's Manual of Medicine, 20e YR 2020 FD 2020 PB McGraw-Hill Education PP New York, NY SN 9781260455342 LK accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1167067741 RD 2024/04/23 AB Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are chronic inflammatory disorders of unknown etiology involving the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Peak occurrence is between ages 15 and 30 and between ages 60 and 80, but onset may occur at any age. Epidemiologic features are shown in Table 151-1. Pathogenesis of IBD involves activation of immune cells by unknown inciting agent (? microorganism, dietary component, bacterial or self-antigen) leading to release of cytokines and inflammatory mediators. Genetic component suggested by increased risk in first-degree relatives of pts with IBD and concurrence of type of IBD, location of Crohn’s disease (CD), and clinical course. Reported associations include HLA-DR2 in Japanese pts with ulcerative colitis (UC) and a CD-related gene called CARD15 on chromosome 16p. CARD15 mutations may account for 10% of CD risk. Other potential pathogenic factors include serum antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) in 70% of pts with UC (also in 5–10% of CD pts) and antibodies to Saccharomyces cerevisiae (ASCA) in 60–70% of CD pts (also in 10–15% of UC pts and 5% of normal controls). Granulomatous angiitis (vasculitis) may occur in CD. Acute flares may be precipitated by infections, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and stress. Onset of UC often follows cessation of smoking.