IBD - Crohn's
& Colitis
IBD – Crohn’s & Colitis
Chronic Inflammatory Bowel Disease of the GI Tract
Ulcerative Colitis • UC
Limited to the colon
- Starts in rectum – extends up colon
- Diffuse, continuous pattern of inflammation
- Mucosa (surface lining) involvement
Crohn’s Disease • CD
Anywhere from the mouth to anus
- Patchy distribution of inflammation
- Transmural inflammation (full thickness of
gut lining = deeper inflammation) - Most commonly affects terminal ileum & colon
Symptoms
Gastrointestinal
Diarrhea
Abdominal pain
Nausea/vomiting
Mucus/blood in stool
Bloating
Incomplete evacuation
Urgency
Incontinence
Rectal pain
Systemic
Fever
Weight loss
Fatigue
Anxiety/Depression
Note: IBD symptoms can be similar to IBS
Extraintestinal Manifestations
Joints (Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis)
Skin (Erythema Nodosum, Pyoderma)
Eyes (uveitis) Oral ulcers (Apthae)
Most At Risk
Young Adults Aged 15-35
25% of people with IBD develop the disease before the age of 18.
3.1 million adults (1.3%) in the U.S. are diagnosed with IBD, incidence is increasing both in U.S. & worldwide.
Potential diagnosis at any age
Treat To Target Strategy
1
Use Steroid-Sparing Strategy To Treat Symptoms
Decrease bleeding, frequency, urgency, pain etc.
2
Decrease Inflammation
Assessed by blood/stool biomarkers, endoscopic assessment (mucosal healing = bowel healing)
!
Aspirational Goal = Functional Remission
Having the patient get control of their life again, so they can get back to work, social life, travel, and family gatherings. Gastro of the Rockies has multiple advanced therapies available with varying mechanisms of action and modes of administration (oral, IV, subcutaneous) to target inflammation and treat patients with IBD.
IBD & IBS: Similarities & Differences
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is the Inflammation or destruction of the bowel wall, leading to sores & narrowing of the intestines. It is a structural disease where physical damage causes symptoms. Doctors can see chronic inflammation or ulcers when they inspect the gut.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a disorder of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It is a functional disease, which means that tests (such as a colonoscopy, stool or blood tests) won’t show any physical reason for symptoms. It’s possible to have both IBD and IBS.
IBD Symptoms
- Loss of appetite/weight loss
- Inflammation of skin, joints, or eyes
- Fever
- loody/black Stool
- Anemia
- Fatigue
Main Difference
- Visible inflammation in examination
- Can get progressively worse
- Risk of colon cancer, surgery, hospitalization
Shared Symptoms
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal Pain
- Cramping
- Bloating
IBS Symptoms
- Nausea
- Gas
- Bloating/cramping
- Trouble Sleeping
- Fatigue
- Constipation
Main Difference:
- No visible changes seen in examination