Crohn’s sufferers urged to kick habit

Smokers with Crohn’s disease should quit the habit if they want to avoid a relapse after surgery, research has shown.

A new study has confirmed that smoking is strongly linked to a recurrence in the bowel condition.

Crohn’s occurs when the immune system attacks the lining of the gut and bowel, causing severe inflammation.

Patients are initially treated with a class of drugs called thiopurines, which dampen the immune system, and more than half require surgery to remove the affected section of their bowel.

A team at Edinburgh University found the risk of relapse is higher for smokers.

As part of the study they also assessed whether thiopurines are effective at preventing the return of the condition after surgery.

Only three of 29 smokers treated with the therapy experienced a relapse within three years compared with 12 of 26 who received the dummy drug.

The rate of relapse among non-smokers was much lower and was unaffected by treatment with the medicine.

The study is published in the Lancet Gastroenterology and Hepatology journal.