Is Ulcerative Colitis Genetic?
Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes long-lasting inflammation and ulcers in the innermost lining of the colon and rectum. Symptoms include diarrhea, bleeding, and abdominal pain.
Affects ~1 in 400 people.
Genetic Factors Behind Ulcerative Colitis
Research has identified multiple genetic variants that influence a person's susceptibility to Ulcerative Colitis. While no single gene determines whether someone will develop this condition, specific variants can increase or decrease risk. Key genes studied in relation to Ulcerative Colitis include:
HLA-DQA2IL23RMST1NKX2-3Each of these genes plays a distinct role in the biological pathways related to Ulcerative Colitis. Variants in these genes have been identified through large-scale genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and replicated across multiple populations.
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 Ulcerative Colitis. 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 Ulcerative Colitis Results
After uploading your DNA file, you will receive a detailed health risk report covering 52 conditions, including Ulcerative Colitis. 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 HLA-DQA2, IL23R, MST1, and NKX2-3. Risk levels range from "Below Average" to "Significantly Increased," with population percentile comparisons to contextualize your results.
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See how your genetics relate to Ulcerative Colitis - upload your data for a personalized analysis.
Your data never leaves your browser.
Discover Your Ulcerative Colitis Risk Profile
Upload your 23andMe, AncestryDNA, or VCF file for a free, privacy-first genetic analysis covering Ulcerative Colitis and 51 other health conditions.
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