Airway diseases and inflammatory bowel diseases: is it something in the air (pollution)?

Our group has recently discussed the exciting European Respiratory Journal publication by Brassard et al. [1] that shows an increased incidence of the inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) in subjects with airway disease. In this population-based cohort study, the incidence of Crohn's disease was higher in the asthma (by 27%) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (by 55%) groups relative to the general population. This study complements other recent observations showing increased gut permeability in those with COPD relative to healthy controls [2], which is a potential mechanism for development of IBD. Taken together, these data suggest a common link in the pathogenesis of IBD and airway disease; however, the mechanisms responsible for these interesting observations remain unclear. A discussion of the environmental factors influencing lung and gut disease: is it something in the air? http://ow.ly/MW86M