We hypothesized that genetic variants inducing a “loss-of-function” in one or more of the genes associated with NaV1.7, NaV1.8, or NaV1.9 (SCN9A, SCN10A, and SCN11A, respectively) in IBD patients would result in anti-nociceptive function and diminished abdominal pain perception. Here, SCN9A is linked to inflammatory bowel disease.