Ulcerative Colitis

Is Ulcerative Colitis Inherited?

We know that ulcerative colitis can tend to run in families. Studies have shown that up to 20 percent of people with ulcerative colitis will have a close relative with either ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease. Most often, the affected relative of the colitis patient will also have ulcerative colitis. However, based on current research, there does not appear to be a clear-cut pattern to this inheritance. Researchers continue to seek specific genes involved in the cause of the diseases. At this time, however, there is no way to predict which, if any, family members will develop ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease.