Inflammatory bowel disease

Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are the most common inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). But what are the causes, symptoms, and treatment options? Learn everything from diagnosis to therapies that make daily life easier.

09. March 2024

IBD

IBD Overview

Content
1. IBD – What is this?
2. Possible Causes for IBD
3. Diagnosis of IBD and Treatment Options

1. IBD – What is this?

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an umbrella term for conditions characterized by inflammation in the digestive tract. These inflammations can occur either in episodes or persist continuously.
The two main forms of IBD are Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). While inflammation in UC is primarily limited to the colon and rectum (1), CD can affect the entire gastrointestinal tract (2,3). However, CD is most commonly found in the ileum or colon (3).

Symptoms vary from patient to patient. Common symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, weight loss, general malaise, and fever (3).
In UC, diarrhea is often bloody (1), whereas this is less common in CD (3). These symptoms frequently appear in episodes, with periods of remission in between.

Here in Germany, UC occurs in 1 in 198 cases, while CD occurs in 1 in 310 cases (4). The first onset typically occurs in young adulthood, although earlier onset is also possible (4).

2. Possible Causes for IBD

The development of IBD is multifactorial. Changes in the gut microbiome, a damaged intestinal lining, and genetic predisposition are considered risk factors for IBD (1,3). Environmental factors such as smoking, diet, and hygiene may also play a role (5).

2. Diagnosis of IBD and Treatment Options

The initial diagnosis of CD involves a physical examination, endoscopic imaging, and sonographic or radiological techniques (2). A thorough differential diagnosis is also required.

Various treatment options are available for IBD, including pharmacological, surgical, nutritional, and complementary medical approaches. However, a complete cure for IBD is currently not known (3).

References

Ordás I, Eckmann L, Talamini M, Baumgart DC, Sandborn WJ. Ulcerative colitis. Lancet. 2012 Nov 3;380(9853):1606-19. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(12)60150-0. Epub 2012 Aug 20. PMID: 22914296.
Sturm A, Atreya R, Bettenworth D, Bokemeyer B, Dignaß A, Ehehalt R, Germer C, Grunert PC, Helwig U, Herrlinger K, Kienle P, Kreis ME, Kucharzik T, Langhorst J, Maaser C, Ockenga J, Ott C, Siegmund B, Zeißig S, Stallmach A; Collaborators:. Aktualisierte S3-Leitlinie „Diagnostik und Therapie des Morbus Crohn“ der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Gastroenterologie, Verdauungs- und Stoffwechselkrankheiten (DGVS) – August 2021 – AWMF-Registernummer: 021-004. Z Gastroenterol. 2022 Mar;60(3):332-418. German. doi: 10.1055/a-1713-3941. Epub 2022 Mar 9. PMID: 35263784.
Feuerstein JD, Cheifetz AS. Crohn Disease: Epidemiology, Diagnosis, and Management. Mayo Clin Proc. 2017 Jul;92(7):1088-1103. doi: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2017.04.010. Epub 2017 Jun 7. PMID: 28601423.
Wehkamp, Jan; Götz, Martin; Herrlinger, Klaus; Steurer, Wolfgang; Stange, Eduard F.; Chronisch entzündliche Darmerkrankungen Morbus Crohn und Colitis ulcerosa – Inflammatory bowel disease: Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
Ursachen einer CED-Erkrankung; DCCV e.V. (Deutsche Morbus Crohn / Colitis Ulcerosa Vereinigung); Krankheitsursachen | DCCV e.V.; latest check: 25.03.2023

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