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Modifiable Environmental Factors in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Kristin E Burke1, Christine Boumitri2, Ashwin N Ananthakrishnan3,4
1Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA.
Current Gastroenterology Reports
|April 12, 2017
Summary
Environmental factors like diet and stress significantly impact inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Modifying these influences through interventions shows promise for improving Crohn
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology and Environmental Health
- Immunology and Microbiome Research
Background:
- Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, are influenced by environmental factors.
- These factors can alter host immune responses and intestinal microbial composition, affecting disease predisposition and progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review interventional studies that modify environmental factors impacting IBD.
- To translate evidence on environmental influences into clinical practice for improved disease outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on interventional studies.
- Analysis of environmental factors such as diet, tobacco, antibiotics, and stress.
Main Results:
- Identified key environmental influences: tobacco use, diet, antibiotics, vitamin D deficiency, stress, appendectomy, and oral contraceptive use.
- Confirmed associations using prospective epidemiologic data and laboratory mechanistic studies.
- Noted both shared and disease-specific effects of risk factors on Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Conclusions:
- Environmental factors play a crucial role in IBD development and progression.
- Interventions targeting modifiable environmental factors offer a promising strategy for managing IBD.