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The exact cause of Crohn's disease is unknown. However, genetic and environmental factors have been invoked in the pathogenesis of the disease. Mutations in the CARD15 gene (also known as the NOD2 gene) are associated with Crohn's disease and with susceptibility to certain phenotypes of disease location and activity.
Many environmental factors have also been hypothesized as causes or risk factors for Crohn's disease. Diets high in sweet, fatty or refined foods may play a role. A retrospective Japanese study found that those diagnosed with Crohn's disease had higher intakes of sugar, fat, fish and shellfish than controls prior to diagnosis. A similar study in Israel also found higher intakes of fats (especially chemically modified fats) and sucrose, with lower intakes of fructose and fruits, water, potassium, magnesium and vitamin C in the diets of Crohn's disease sufferers before diagnosis, and cites three large European studies in which sugar intake was significantly increased in people with Crohn's disease compared with controls.
Smoking has been shown to increase the risk of the return of active disease, or "flares". Oral contraceptives have also shown an association with the development of Crohn's disease.
Abnormalities in the immune system have often been invoked as being causes of Crohn's disease. It has been hypothesized that Crohn's disease involves augmentation of the Th1 of cytokine response in inflammation. Also, as the colon is rich in bacteria, many infectious agents have been suggested as causes of Crohn's disease. For example, some scientists suspect that Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis is involved, in part because it causes a very similar disease, Johne's disease, in cattle.
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qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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