The gut-lung axis: Mendelian randomization identifies a causal association between inflammatory bowel disease and interstitial lung disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal system associated with genetic susceptibility, dysfunctional immune responses in the mucosa, and the imbalance in the intestinal microflora.1 Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are two subtypes of IBD. CD commonly affects the colon and the terminal ileum, which is mainly characterized by discontinuous and transmural inflammation and accompanied with thickening, narrowing, abscesses, fibrosis, and fistulas of the intestinal walls.
Source: Heart and Lung - Category: Intensive Care Authors: Source Type: research