da Vinci Surgery
 

IBD Causes & Risk Factors

IBD is typically a disease of young people because it most commonly develops between the ages of 10 and 30; but it can also develop in older adults.

There are racial and ethnic differences in the risk for developing IBD. Caucasians have a higher risk of developing IBD. People of Jewish descent have a higher risk of developing IBD, particularly those of Ashkenazi Jewish descent.

The exact cause of IBD is not known but is related to protective immune cells that are present in the lining of the intestines. This immune system normally turns on and off to fight harmful substances like bacteria and viruses that pass through intestines. In IBD it seems that there is an initial trigger such as an infection, something in the diet or the environment that activates the immune system. However, the difference in those who develop IBD is that the immune system does not turn off once this initial trigger ends. This leads to uncontrolled inflammation and an attack on normal intestinal cells.

Smokers are more likely to develop Crohn's disease than non-smokers. Also, among people with Crohn's disease, smokers tend to have a more aggressive form of disease than non-smokers. The reasons are not clear, but the opposite is true for ulcerative colitis. Smokers are less likely to develop ulcerative colitis and tend to have less severe symptoms than non-smokers.

Finally, there is a genetic (hereditary) risk of developing IBD. 10-20% of IBD patients have one or more other family members with IBD. The occurrence of Crohn's disease is increased among relatives of Crohn's disease patients and the occurrence of ulcerative colitis is increased among relatives of ulcerative colitis patients. Both diseases can also exist in the same family with one family member having ulcerative colitis and another family member having Crohn's disease.

While clinical studies support the effectiveness of the da Vinci Surgical System when used in minimally invasive surgery, individual results may vary. There are no guarantees of outcome. All surgeries involve the risk of major complications. Before you decide on surgery, discuss treatment options with your doctor. Understanding the risks of each treatment can help you make the best decision for your individual situation. Surgery with the da Vinci Surgical System may not be appropriate for every individual; it may not be applicable to your condition. Always ask your doctor about all treatment options, as well as their risks and benefits. Only your doctor can determine whether da Vinci Surgery is appropriate for your situation. The clinical information and opinions, including any inaccuracies expressed in this material by patients or doctors about da Vinci Surgery, are not necessarily those of Intuitive Surgical, Inc. and should not be considered as substitute for medical advice provided by your doctor. © 2010 Intuitive Surgical. All rights reserved.

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  7. The American College of Gastroenterology; Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Available from:
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