Although the causes, events initiating and triggering inflammation, and the precise
immunoregulatory defects of IBD are still not known, investigations have provided a better
understanding of the mechanisms of perpetuation of inflammation, genetic susceptibility,
tissue injury, and symptoms. Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are related disorders that
probably share susceptibility genes and have similar nonspecific inflammatory mediator
profiles. These diseases, however, almost certainly have different causes and respond to …