Twin cohort for the study of (pre)clinical Inflammatory Bowel Disease in the Netherlands: The TWIN-study

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD), i.e. Crohn’s Disease (CD) and Ulcerative Colitis (UC), are thought to arise in genetically susceptible individuals in the context of environmental triggers, with a potential dominant role for the interplay between the gut microbiota, and the mucosal immune system. However, the relative importance and the exact role of these factors in the pathogenesis of IBD is presently unknown. Interpretation of published research in this field is often hampered by reverse causation, and data generated in animal models cannot be directly extrapolated to the human condition. The disease is probably triggered years before the occurrence of symptoms, but currently patients are only identified when clinical disease is established. The preclinical phase of IBD might hold the key to understanding the pathogenesis of IBD and could provide a huge window of opportunity of halting or even preventing disease development. At this time, data on this phase of the disease are limited. Identifying and validating biomarkers and pathophysiological mechanisms is one of the necessary steps toward prediction, prevention and optimalization of therapy in IBD care. Unaffected twin-siblings of IBD affected individuals are at increased risk of developing IBD. Therefore, studying IBD-discordant, IBD-concordant and non-IBD-concordant twins or multiples gives the unique opportunity to 1) define mechanisms that underlie (the early development of) IBD and 2) identify and validate markers of (pre)clinical IBD.

Observational study with both a cross-sectional and longitudinal design

1. http://publications.europa.eu/resource/authority/data-theme/HEAL

1. http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2022/868/oj