Among the recent swath of studies associating common genetic variants with common diseases, Crohn’s disease has fared especially well. A team of international researchers has discovered 21 additional variants that not only increase Crohn’s risk, but expand understanding of how the disease works.
That amount of additional knowledge would be great news for any health condition, but it is especially welcome in Crohn’s disease. Scientists still have a lot to learn about how this inflammatory gastrointestinal disorder does its damage, and the condition is difficult to diagnose and treat.
Knowing your risk ahead of time can help speed a correct diagnosis if you develop Crohn’s symptoms. And better insights may lead to better treatments.
Understanding the importance of these new genetic findings starts with a quick look at the research to date.