Published 9 March 2009, doi:10.1136/bmj.b225
Cite this as: BMJ 2009;338:b225

Editorials

Reduced risk of ulcerative colitis after appendicectomy

Is related to the underlying appendicitis, not the operation

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

In the linked observational study (doi:10.1136/bmj.b716), Frisch and colleagues present new data on the striking inverse association between ulcerative colitis and appendicectomy, which was first described more than 20 years ago.1

Despite the great progress in molecular genetics in the past few years, the cause of inflammatory bowel disease is still unclear. In genetically susceptible people, antigens or microbial agents lead to an inappropriate mucosal immune response, which may be triggered by environmental factors. The search for relevant environmental factors, which was prompted by the observation that the incidence of inflammatory bowel disease is increasing,2 has been going on for decades. Consequently, many consumer items available in the modern Western world have been examined—such as sugar, margarine, cornflakes, toothpaste, and coca cola—and recently even fridges and television sets.3

Despite a mass of epidemiological studies, only three associations with potentially modifiable lifestyle related factors have been established—a positive association . . . [Full text of this article]

Antje Timmer, senior researcher1, Florian Obermeier, senior researcher2

1 Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, Institute of Epidemiology, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany, 2 Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Regensburg, 93042 Regensburg, Germany

antje.timmer@helmholtz-muenchen.de


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Relevant Article

Appendicitis, mesenteric lymphadenitis, and subsequent risk of ulcerative colitis: cohort studies in Sweden and Denmark
Morten Frisch, Bo V Pedersen, and Roland E Andersson
BMJ 2009 338: b716. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

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