Clustering of increased small intestinal permeability in families with Crohn's disease
(1997) Gastroenterology — Vol. 113, n° 3, p. 802-807 (1997)
Files
pdfdocument.pdf
Restricted Access - Adobe PDF
- 272.28 KB
Details
- Authors
- Abstract
- Background & Aims: Small intestinal permeability is increased in a proportion of patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and a subset of their healthy relatives. A primary permeability defect was postulated in the pathogenesis of the disease. The aim of this study was to identify a possible genetic pattern in the distribution of CD and/or abnormal permeability. Methods: Differential urinary excretion of lactulose and mannitol (L/M) in complete CD families was determined. Controls included healthy families and families with ulcerative colitis. Pedigrees were used to compare the distribution of CD and/or increased permeability. Results: The L/M was significantly increased in patients with CD. Seventeen of 67 first-degree relatives (25%) had a ratio greater than the upper limit (P-95 = 0.0170). Permeability results of CD families showed a highly significant familial aggregation. The lack of a genetic pattern in relation with CD and occurrence of disturbed permeability, especially within generation, points toward a shaved environmental factor. Five of 14 healthy spouses (36%) of patients with CD had also an increased permeability, and prevalence of increased permeability was not higher in families with known familial occurrence (P = 0.85). Conclusions: This large family study confirms an increased permeability in a subset of healthy relatives of patients with CD. However, the absence of a typical family pattern and the high prevalence in spouses is in favor of a common nongenetic factor or a subclinical disease manifestation.
- Affiliations
Citations
Peeters, M.-R., Geypens, B., Claus, D., Nevens, H., Ghoos, Y., Verbeke, G., Baert, F., Vermeire, S., Vlietinck, R., & Rutgeerts, P. (1997). Clustering of increased small intestinal permeability in families with Crohn’s disease. Gastroenterology, 113(3), 802-807. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0016-5085(97)70174-4 (Original work published 1997)