There are risk factors associated with every disease, and Crohn’s is no exception. You can’t change the genetic hand that nature deals you, or your family history. Recognizing you are at greater risk for developing Crohn’s (or any disease) is invaluable. Armed with knowledge, you will be sensitive to changes in your body and diligent about quickly seeking medical care. Early detection has been shown to improve disease outcomes and survival rates.

Who’s at Risk?
There is a strong hereditary component to Crohn’s. Although we do not yet have all the pieces of the puzzle, scientists have identified specific genes linked to the disease. Each associated gene increases your susceptibility to Crohn’s by a little bit. There is good news, however. As researchers uncover genes implicated in Crohn’s, they can develop highly targeted and effective drug therapies.

A family history of Crohn’s increases your risk for developing the disease. If one parent has Crohn’s, your lifetime risk of developing some form of Inflammatory Bowel Disease is 10 percent. If both of your parents have Crohn’s disease, your lifetime risk increases to 35 percent.

Although Crohn’s is an equal-opportunity disease, Caucasians are more likely to develop it, and Jewish people of European decent are four to five times more likely than others to have Crohn’s. Your risk for Crohn’s also increases with age...

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