Factors associated with the development of post-infectious functional gastrointestinal diseases: does smoking play a role?
Post-infectious FGIDs appear to be associated with smoking. Smoking is known to moderate gut immunity in other disorders such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. This study adds to increasing evidence for an organic basis to post-infectious FGIDs, perhaps moderated via inflammatory pathways.
• Anaemia depends on serum IL-6, which is a strong inductor of CRP and regulator of the iron-transport. Serum IL-6 may be considered as a target to treat cancer-related anaemia.