A chronic inflammatory disease that can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus. Crohn’s disease can occur at any age, but people in their mid-20s are most likely to be affected. It is more common in women than man. The most common site of inflammation is the terminal ileum (the end of the small intestine where it joins the large intestine). The wall of the intestine becomes extremely thick due to continued chronic inflammation, and deep, penetrating ulcers may form. The disease tends to be patchy; areas of the intestine that lie between the diseased parts may appear to be normal, but are usually mildly affected.

CROHN’S DISEASE CAUSES

The cause is unknown, but genetic and environmental factors seem to be involved. It is possible that the disease is caused by an abnormal immune response to an antigen (foreign protein). Smoking increases the risk, and worsens the condition once developed.

The risk of developing Crohn’s disease is higher in people who have a close relative with the disorder.

CROHN’S DISEASE SYMPTOMS

In young people, the ileum is usually involved. The disease causes spasms of abdominal pain, diarrhoea and chronic sickness, loss of appetite, anaemia, and weight loss. The ability of the small intestine to absorb nutrients from food is reduced. In elderly people, it is more common for the disease to affect the rectum and cause rectal bleeding.

Crohn’s disease can also affect the colon (the major part of the large intestine), causing bloody diarrhoea. In rare cases, it also affects the mouth, oesophagus, stomach, and duodenum (the upper part of the small intestine).

Complications may affect the intestines or may develop elsewhere in the body. The thickening of the intestinal wall may narrow the inside of the intestine so much that an obstruction occurs.

About three in ten affected people develop a fistula (abnormal passage-way). Internal fistulas may develop between loops of intestine. External fistulas, from the intestine to the skin of the abdomen or around the anus, may cause leakage of faeces.

Abscesses (pus-filled pockets of infection) form in about one in five people. Many abscesses occur around the anus, but some occur within the abdomen.

Complications in other parts of the body may include inflammation of various parts of the eye, severe arthritis affecting various parts of the eye, severe arthritis affecting various joints of the body, ankylosing spondylitis (an inflammation of the spine), skin disorders, liver disease, and gallstones.

CROHN’S DISEASE DIAGNOSIS

A physical examination may reveal tender abdominal swellings that indicate thickening if the intestinal walls. Sigmoidoscopy (examination of the lower, or sigmoid, colon and the rectum with a viewing instrument) may confirm the diagnosis. X-ray using barium follow-through or barium enemas will show thickened loops of intestine with deep fissures.

It may be difficult to differentiate between Crohn’s disease when it is affecting the colon and ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease limited to the large intestine. However, colonoscopy (examination of the colon using a flexible viewing instrument) and biopsy (the removal of a sample of tissue for microscopic examination) can confirm the diagnosis. CT scanning, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), and ultrasound scanning may also be used to detect complications such as abscesses.

CROHN’S DISEASE TREATMENT

The aim of treatment is to bring about long-term remission of the disease. It may involve high doses of corticosteroid drugs or mesalazine and related drugs; immunosuppressant drugs; or monoclonal antibody treatment with infliximab; in some cases, a combination of these drugs may be used. Antibiotic drugs may also be given to combat infection. In severe cases, enteral feeding (in which easily digestible food is given through a tube directly into the intestines) may be necessary. Once the disease is in remission, normal feeding can be resumed and the dose of corticosteroids can be reduced.

Surgical treatment to remove damaged sections of the intestine is avoided whenever possible because the disease may recur in other parts of the intestine. However, many people with the condition do need surgery at home stage to treat problems such as perforation or blockage of the intestine.

CROHN’S DISEASE OUTLOOK

Some people in whom the disease is localized remain in normal health indefinitely and seem to be cured.

Source: The family medical encyclopedia by BMA

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