Researchers identify gene linked to severe ulcerative colitis

Description

Researchers at Aalborg University's Center for Molecular Prediction of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (PREDICT) have identified a genetic variant that may predict the severity of ulcerative colitis in patients. "... we have now demonstrated that the same gene can predict whether a patient will require more intensive treatment...," says Ph.D. student and lead author, Marie Vibeke Vestergaard. The study found that 3% of patients with ulcerative colitis carry the HLA-DRB1*01:03 variant, with over 40% requiring major surgery within three years of diagnosis. Associate Professor Aleksejs Sazonovs, Head of Genomics at PREDICT, highlights the importance of understanding the underlying genetics of inflammatory bowel diseases. (Summary provided by Infomedia).