Objective:

To use clinical, genetic and genome analysis to better understand and define the genetic and environmental factors that contribute to IBD within affected populations.

Background:

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic, and often disabling, disorder of the intestines characterized by dysregulation of mucosal immune response. Recent data suggests that the incidence and prevalence rates among all populations may be increasing due to constantly changing environmental exposures. The goal of the study is to identify susceptible genes that contribute to the pathogenesis of IBD in affected individuals.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Subjects: diagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, IBD-undetermined)
• Available medical records to confirm IBD diagnosis (Crohn's disease, Ulcerative colitis, IBD undetermined (IBD-U))
• Healthy controls: no personal history of IBD, no family history of IBD, no history of unexplained chronic diarrhea/blood in stool/anemia/abdominal pain/weight loss
• Any age

Exclusion Criteria:

- Subjects with other gastrointestinal conditions not meeting the above IBD or Healthy Control criteria

IBD or Healthy controls (non-IBD)