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Other names people use for this condition
  • Ileitis
  • Enteritis
  • Granulomatous colitis
  • Granulomatous enteritis

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Crohn's disease
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My father has Crohn's disease for which he has had many surgeries in his lifetime. His brother (my uncle) also had this disease as a young adult.  Can you tell me what percent chance I would have of having this disease as well? My fathers other young adult children do not have it as of yet.



  • What is Crohn's disease? (Back to Top)

  • Crohn's disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the general name for conditions that cause inflammation in the intestines. Common signs and symptoms include abdominal pain and diarrhea. Bleeding from the rectum, weight loss, joint pain, skin problems and fever may also occur. Other problems can include intestinal blockage and malnutrition. Crohn's disease can occur in people of all age groups but is most often diagnosed in young adults. The exact cause is unknown, but is thought to involve both genetic and environmental factors. It appears to run in some families. Treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms and reducing inflammation, but some people require surgery. Quitting smoking can also improve the symptoms of Crohn’s disease.[1][2]
  • Last Reviewed: 11/15/2012

  • What are the signs and symptoms of Crohn's disease? (Back to Top)

  • Crohn's disease causes inflammation of the digestive or gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It usually occurs in the lower part of the small intestine, called the ileum, but it can affect any part of the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus. The inflammation extends deep into the lining of the affected organ, which can cause abdominal pain and diarrhea.[1] Affected individuals may also have loss of appetite, weight loss, and fever.[4]

    About one-third of individuals with Crohn's disease have symptoms outside of the intestines, which may include arthritis, uveitis (inflammation of the covering of the eye), skin lesions, and sacroilitis (inflammation of the large joints of the tail bone and pelvis).[3]

    Symptoms of Crohn's disease may range from mild to severe. Most people will go through periods in which the disease flares up and causes symptoms, alternating with periods when symptoms disappear or decrease. People with Crohn’s disease who smoke tend to have more severe symptoms and more complications. In general, people with Crohn's disease lead active and productive lives.[1][3]
  • Last Reviewed: 11/15/2012

  • What causes Crohn's disease? (Back to Top)

  • The exact cause of Crohn's disease is not known, but it appears to be a multifactorial condition. This means that both genetic and environmental factors likely interact to predispose an individual to being affected. Studies suggest that Crohn's disease may result from a combination of certain genetic variations, changes in the immune system, and the presence of bacteria in the digestive tract.[4]

    Recent studies have found that variations in specific genes, including the ATG16L1, IL23R, IRGM, and NOD2 genes, influence the risk of developing Crohn's disease. These genes provide instructions for making proteins that are involved in immune system function. Variations in any of these genes may disrupt the ability of intestinal cells to respond to bacteria, leading to chronic inflammation and thus the signs and symptoms of the condition. There may also be genetic variations in regions of chromosome 5 and chromosome 10 that contribute to an increased risk to develop Crohn's disease.[4]
  • Last Reviewed: 10/15/2012

  • Is Crohn's disease inherited? (Back to Top)

  • Crohn's disease, like most other autoimmune diseases, is thought to be a multifactorial condition. This means it is likely associated with the effects of multiple genes, in combination with lifestyle and environmental factors.[8] Once an autoimmune disease is present in a family, other relatives may be at risk to develop the same autoimmune disease, or a different autoimmune disease. However, if an autoimmune diseases such as Crohn's disease occurs in a family, it does not necessarily mean that relatives will develop an autoimmune disease.[7] Having an affected family member means that there may be a genetic predisposition in the family that could increase an individual's chance of developing an autoimmune disease. Thus, having an affected family member is considered a risk factor for Crohn's disease.[6]
  • Last Reviewed: 10/15/2012

  • What is the chance of a child developing Crohn's disease if a parent is affected by this condition?
     (Back to Top)

  • Studies have shown that if one parent has this disease, each of his/her children has up to a 10% chance of developing the disease; if both parents have the disease, each of their children has up to a 50% chance of developing the disease. [10]
  • Last Reviewed: 2/8/2012

  • What genes are currently known to be associated with Crohn's disease? (Back to Top)

  • More than 30 distinct genes, or presumed locations of genes (loci), have been suggested to be related to CD, including those related to susceptibility, age of onset, disease location, diagnosis, and prognosis.[9] So far, the strongest associations with CD have been found with the NOD2 (also called CARD15), IL23R and ATG16L1 genes.[9]

    The search for specific susceptibility genes (genes in which variations may increase a person's risk) has been difficult due to complex genetics, including factors such as the lack of simple inheritance patterns and involvement of several genes. Studies have already led to the identification of a number of susceptibility genes: NOD2, DLG5, OCTN1 (also called SLC22A4), OCTN2 (SLC22A5), NOD1, IL23R, PTGER4, ATG16L1 and IRGM. The NOD2 gene is currently the most replicated and understood.[9]

    With respect to age of CD onset and more specifically to childhood or early-onset Crohn’s disease, the following genes/loci have been implicated: TNFRSF6B, CXCL9, IL23R, NOD2, ATG16L1 rs2241880, CNR1, IL-10, and MDR1 (also called ABCB1).[9]

    In terms of genes related to CD location, studies have suggested that upper GI Crohn’s disease has been related to NOD2 and MIF variants. Ileal CD has been related to the IL-10, CRP, NOD2, ZNF365 and STAT3 genes. Genes/loci associated with ileocolonic CD are 3p21, ATG16L1 and TCF-4 (TCF7L2).[9]

    Variations in a number of genes have also been found to be associated with other aspects of CD, such as disease behavior, risk for cancer, and presence of extraintestinal manifestations.[9] To view a free, full-text journal article published in 2012 about the role of genetics in CD, click here. To view only a table from this article listing the genes that appear to be associated with Crohn's disease, click here.

    Because the information provided here is complex, individuals seeking to better understand this information may benefit from meeting with a genetics professional or other qualified health care provider.
  • Last Reviewed: 10/16/2012

  • How is Crohn's disease diagnosed?
     (Back to Top)

  • A variety of tests are used to diagnose and monitor Crohn’s disease. A combination of tests is often needed because some symptoms of the condition are similar to other intestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome and to another type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) called ulcerative colitis.[1] Tests used to narrow down the diagnosis may include blood tests, tissue tests, ultrasound, x-rays, CT scan, and/or endoscopy. A proper diagnosis also involves identifying the extent and severity of disease as well as any related complications.[5]
  • Last Reviewed: 10/15/2012


References  (Back)
  1. Crohn's disease. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NIDDC). 2006 Available at: http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/crohns/index.htm. Accessed July 29, 2010.
  2. David B. Sachar, Aaron E. Walfish. Crohn's Disease. Merck Manuals. Aigust 2006 Available at: http://www.merckmanuals.com/home/digestive_disorders/inflammatory_bowel_diseases_ibd/crohns_disease.html?qt=&sc=&alt=. Accessed Octoer 15, 2012.
  3. Cummings S, Rubin D. The Complexity and Challenges of Genetic Counseling and Testing for Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Journal of Genetic Counseling. December 2006.
  4. Crohn disease. Genetics Home Reference. August 2007 Available at: http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/crohn-disease. Accessed October 15, 2012.
  5. Diagnosing Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America. May 31, 2010 Available at: http://www.ccfa.org/resources/diagnosing-crohns-uc.html. Accessed October 15, 2012.
  6. Crohn Disease. Genetics Home Reference (GHR) . August 2007 Available at: http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition=crohndisease. Accessed February 7, 2012.
  7. Department of Human Genetics. Autoimmune disorders. Emory University School of Medicine. 2004 Available at: http://www.genetics.emory.edu/pdf/Emory_Human_Genetics_Autoimmune_Disorders.pdf. Accessed February 7, 2012.
  8. What are complex or multifactorial disorders?. Genetics Home Reference. October 8, 2012 Available at: http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/mutationsanddisorders/complexdisorders. Accessed October 15, 2012.
  9. Tsianos EV, Katsanos KH, Tsianos VE. Role of genetics in the diagnosis and prognosis of Crohn's disease. World J Gastroenterol. January 14, 2012;18(2):105-118;
  10. Cummings SA, Rubin DT. The complexity and challenges of genetic counseling and testing for inflammatory bowel disease. Journal of Genetic Counseling. 2006;15:465-476. Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17106630?log$=activity. February 7, 2012.

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