Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 18, 2025
09:44
Evaluating Therapeutic Interventions in the SHIP-deficient Mouse Model of Crohn Disease-like Ileitis and Fibrosis
Published on: October 14, 2025
251
Sex-based differences in inflammatory bowel diseases: a review
Sheila D Rustgi1, Maia Kayal1, Shailja C Shah2
1Division of Gastroenterology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA.
Therapeutic Advances in Gastroenterology
|June 12, 2020
Summary
This review explores sex-based differences in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), examining how sex hormones, genetics, and the gut microbiome influence disease development and treatment response in men and women.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology and Immunology
Background:
- Sex-based disparities in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are increasingly noted but not fully understood.
- Potential mechanisms include sex hormone influences, sex-specific epigenetic modifications, and gut microbiome variations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive review of sex-based differences in IBD.
- To cover epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical phenotypes, and treatment responses.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of experimental and translational models.
- Analysis of existing epidemiological and clinical data.
Main Results:
- Sex influences IBD epidemiology, pathogenesis, and clinical presentation.
- Sex hormones, genetics, and microbiome composition contribute to these differences.
- Therapeutic responses and outcomes vary between sexes.
Conclusions:
- Acknowledging and understanding sex-based differences is crucial for personalized IBD management.
- Further research is needed to elucidate specific mechanisms and optimize sex-tailored therapies.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis
747
Introduction
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...
747
01:30Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease
801
Introduction
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by...
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by...
801
01:17Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction
684
Chronic bowel diseases are a group of long-term conditions affecting the digestive tract, characterized by inflammation and damage to the gut lining. These conditions primarily include irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
684
01:30Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy
550
Various diagnostic tests are employed in the diagnostic process for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), particularly to differentiate between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the...
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the...
550
01:17Irritable Bowel Syndrome I: Introduction
817
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is characterized by functional disturbances in the gastrointestinal system, presenting a cluster of symptoms without evident structural or biochemical abnormalities. It primarily affects the large intestine and may cause abdominal pain, bloating, excessive gas, diarrhea, constipation, or both.
IBS is a chronic condition that can persist over a long period or recur frequently.
The pathogenesis of IBS involves a complex interplay of the following factors:
Altered...
IBS is a chronic condition that can persist over a long period or recur frequently.
The pathogenesis of IBS involves a complex interplay of the following factors:
Altered...
817
01:29Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Pharmacological Management
355
Upon diagnosis, managing Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) involves addressing several crucial aspects. The primary goals include resting the bowel, correcting malnutrition, and providing symptomatic relief. Resting the bowel may consist of medications to reduce inflammation and promote healing. Correcting malnutrition is essential, often requiring dietary adjustments and nutritional supplements. Symptomatic relief aims to ease pain, diarrhea, and other discomforts in IBD.
Pharmacologic...
Pharmacologic...
355