The study is one of the first to show that increased aggregated genetic risk of IBD is associated with a more severe disease course, as measured by inflammatory markers, medication need, hospitalizations, and gastrointestinal surgeries.

In Crohn’s disease, the genetic impact on disease severity is mediated by the genetic impact on disease extent, whereas this is not the case in ulcerative colitis.

This knowledge is an important step towards developing personalized medicine strategies, such as better monitoring and treatment for those with a higher genetic risk to potentially improve outcomes and reduce hospitalizations, medication needs, and surgeries.

Authors

Marie Vibeke Vestergaard
Kristine Højgaard Allin
Anne Krogh Nøhr
Jesus V.T. Lominchar
Heidi Christensen
Henrik Krarup
Kaspar René Nielsen
Henrik Albaek Jacobsen
Jonas Bybjerg-Grauholm
Marie Bækvad-Hansen
Rasmus Brøndum
Martin Bøgsted
Lone Larsen
Aleksejs Sazonovs
Tine Jess