Is Crohn's Disease Genetic?
Crohn's disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that causes chronic inflammation of the digestive tract. It can affect any part of the GI tract from the mouth to the anus.
Affects ~1 in 300 people.
Genetic Factors Behind Crohn's Disease
Research has identified multiple genetic variants that influence a person's susceptibility to Crohn's Disease. While no single gene determines whether someone will develop this condition, specific variants can increase or decrease risk. Key genes studied in relation to Crohn's Disease include:
NOD2ATG16L1IL23RIRGMNOD2NOD2 has been associated with crohn's disease in genetic studies; as with most common variants, its individual effect is modest and works alongside many other genetic and non-genetic factors.
ATG16L1ATG16L1 has been associated with crohn's disease in genetic studies; as with most common variants, its individual effect is modest and works alongside many other genetic and non-genetic factors.
IL23RIL23R has been associated with crohn's disease in genetic studies; as with most common variants, its individual effect is modest and works alongside many other genetic and non-genetic factors.
IRGMIRGM has been associated with crohn's disease in genetic studies; as with most common variants, its individual effect is modest and works alongside many other genetic and non-genetic factors.
How GenomeInsight Analyzes Your Risk
GenomeInsight examines your raw DNA data from services like 23andMe, AncestryDNA, or whole-genome sequencing (VCF files) to identify genetic variants associated with Crohn's Disease. The analysis is performed entirely in your browser, meaning your genetic data never leaves your device.
For each relevant variant, GenomeInsight reports your genotype, the associated risk allele, the odds ratio from published research, and your overall risk profile compared to the general population. Results are presented with easy-to-understand risk visualizations and percentile rankings.
Genetic risk is only one piece of the puzzle. Lifestyle, diet, environment, and family history all contribute to overall risk. GenomeInsight's analysis is for informational and educational purposes and is not a medical diagnosis.
Understanding Your Crohn's Disease Results
After uploading your DNA file, you will receive a detailed health risk report covering 52 conditions, including Crohn's Disease. For each condition, GenomeInsight analyzes multiple SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) and calculates a combined risk assessment.
Your results will show whether you carry risk-increasing or protective alleles in genes like NOD2, ATG16L1, IL23R, and IRGM. Risk levels range from "Below Average" to "Significantly Increased," with population percentile comparisons to contextualize your results.
Frequently Asked Questions About Crohn's Disease
Which genes are linked to Crohn's Disease?
The variants most consistently associated with Crohn's Disease lie in or near NOD2, ATG16L1, IL23R, IRGM. Each variant shifts risk modestly on its own; the report combines all of them into an overall genetic risk estimate compared with the reference population.
If I carry risk variants, will I develop Crohn's Disease?
Not necessarily. A genetic predisposition means your probability is higher than average — it is not a diagnosis. Lifestyle, environment, age and chance all contribute, and most people with elevated genetic risk never develop the condition. Conversely, low genetic risk is not a guarantee of protection.
What DNA data do I need for this analysis?
A raw-data file from 23andMe, AncestryDNA, MyHeritage or a whole-genome VCF covers the markers used in this analysis. Upload takes place entirely in your browser — your file is never transmitted to or stored on any server.
Related Conditions That Share These Genes
Variants in the same genes often influence more than one condition. These conditions overlap genetically with Crohn's Disease:
Sources & Further Reading
The risk associations described on this page come from published genome-wide association studies and curated public genomic databases. Explore the primary sources for each gene:
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See how your genetics relate to Crohn's Disease - upload your data for a personalized analysis.
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Discover Your Crohn's Disease Risk Profile
Upload your 23andMe, AncestryDNA, or VCF file for a free, privacy-first genetic analysis covering Crohn's Disease and 51 other health conditions.
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