Ashton et al. demonstrated 12 patient clusters based on C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate, white cell count, haemoglobin, platelet count, packed cell volume, albumin and alanine transferase results.17 Within this, two outlying groups were enriched for Crohn’s disease (high CRP and low albumin) and ulcerative colitis (normal albumin and low haemoglobin). This evidence concerns the gene ALB and Crohn disease.