A recent study led by Cedars-Sinai has found that Hispanic patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) show different patterns of the disease depending on their genetic ancestry. The research, published in Gastroenterology, analyzed data from over 7,300 Hispanic patients across the United States and Puerto Rico.
“Among Hispanic patients, higher African ancestry was associated with more severe Crohn’s disease throughout the digestive tract, while higher Amerindian ancestry was linked to disease affecting primarily the colon,” said Talin Haritunians, PhD, corresponding author and research associate professor of Medicine at Cedars-Sinai.
Hispanic populations often have mixed genetic backgrounds including Indigenous American, European, and African heritage. “Our findings show that genetic ancestry can help explain important differences we see in how inflammatory bowel disease affects patients, even within a single ethnic group,” Haritunians added.
Inflammatory bowel disease affects about 3 million people in the United States. It causes chronic inflammation in the digestive tract. The two main types are Crohn’s disease—which can affect any part of the gastrointestinal system—and ulcerative colitis—which is limited to the colon and rectum.
The study used a new genomic analysis method that considers specific ancestries to assess risk and severity of IBD among Hispanics. “Our group has had a longstanding commitment to extending studies to include diverse populations. Here, we were able to identify ancestry-specific variations in IBD patterns that may be overlooked in broader genetic studies, which often focus on European populations,” said Dermot McGovern, MD, PhD, co-author and director of Translational Research at Cedars-Sinai’s Inflammatory Bowel and Immunobiology Research Institute.
One key finding was that higher African ancestry among Hispanic patients increased the risk for penetrating Crohn’s disease—a severe form where inflammation extends through intestinal wall layers and often leads to complications requiring surgery. “Increased risk of penetrating Crohn’s disease was associated with higher African ancestry among Hispanic patients. It is a severe form of IBD in which inflammation extends through the layers of intestinal wall and increases the risk of complications that often require surgery,” McGovern explained.
Researchers emphasized considering genetic risks along with environmental factors like diet when studying IBD across different groups. “Largescale genetic studies that include diverse patients and populations historically underrepresented in research are essential for advancing our understanding of IBD and helping patients,” Haritunians said. “Expanding research in this way will help us move toward more inclusive approaches with the potential to improve treatment options and the lives of patients.”
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center is based in Los Angeles, California. Founded in 1902, it serves as both a hospital—with over 50,000 admissions reported in its 2022 annual report—and a training institution under current president Thomas M. Priselac.
The study included contributions from multiple researchers at Cedars-Sinai as well as other institutions. Funding came from several sources including NIH/NIDDK grants and private foundations.
