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World J Gastroenterol. Mar 14, 2013; 19(10): 1505-1507
Published online Mar 14, 2013. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i10.1505
Published online Mar 14, 2013. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i10.1505
Epidemiology and inflammatory bowel diseases
Ahmed Mahmoud El-Tawil, Department of Surgery, University Hospital Birmingham, East Corridor, Ground Floor, Birmingham B15 2TH, United Kingdom
Author contributions: El-Tawil AM solely contributed to this paper.
Correspondence to: Ahmed Mahmoud El-Tawil, Department of Surgery, University Hospital of Birmingham, East Corridor, Ground Floor, Birmingham B15 2TH, United Kingdom. atawil20052003@yahoo.co.uk
Telephone: +44-121-6978231 Fax: +44-121-4466220
Received: December 7, 2011
Revised: February 11, 2012
Accepted: March 9, 2012
Published online: March 14, 2013
Revised: February 11, 2012
Accepted: March 9, 2012
Published online: March 14, 2013
Abstract
The role of alcohol in causing or aggravating the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease is unclear. For finding a conclusive answer for this valuable question we conducted this review. Only two studies were identified that successfully fulfilled our inclusive criteria. Usual consumption of alcohol reduced the risk compared with less frequent use (odds ratio = 0.57, 95%CI: 0.37-0.86). Light alcoholic drinking has protective effects against development of ulcerative colitis. But this inverse association disappeared when smoking was included.