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Crohn's Disease

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(CD; Regional Enteritis)

Definition

Crohn's is a severe, chronic inflammatory bowel disease. It causes inflammation, ulcers, and bleeding in the digestive tract. It usually affects the end portion of the small intestine called the ileum. However, any part of the digestive tract can be affected, from the mouth to the anus.
Small Intestine
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Causes

The cause of Crohn's disease is not known. Inflammatory bowel diseases (eg, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease) seem to run in some families. Some researchers think that it is due to a reaction to a virus or bacteria. The immune system overreacts and causes damage to the intestines.

Risk Factors

Factors that increase your chance of getting Crohn's include:
  • Family members with inflammatory bowel disease
  • Jewish heritage
  • A diet that is high in fat, sugar, and meat

Symptoms

Symptoms include:
  • Diarrhea
  • Abdominal cramps and pain
  • Rectal bleeding
  • Weight loss
  • Fatigue, weakness
  • Nausea
  • Fever
  • Mouth sores
  • Sores, abscesses in the anal area

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done.
Tests may include:
  • Your bodily fluids and waste products may need to be tested. This can be done with:
    • Blood tests
    • Stool tests
  • Pictures of your bodily structures may need to be taken. This can be done with:
  • Your rectum and colon may need to be examined. This can be done with:
  • Tissue samples of your colon may need to be taken. This can be done with biopsy.
If you are diagnosed with Crohn's disease, follow your doctor's instructions.

Treatment

Treatment may include:

Dietary Changes

Your doctor may recommend that you avoid foods that trigger symptoms. These foods are different for each person. They may include:
  • Dairy foods due to lactose intolerance
  • Highly seasoned foods
  • High-fiber foods

Medications

There are many types of medicines that are used to treat Crohn's disease. Examples of these medicines include:
  • Aminosalicylate medicines—Such as sulfasalazine, mesalamine, olsalazine
  • Anti-inflammatory medicines—Such as prednisone, methylprednisolone, budesonide
  • Immune modifiers—Such as azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine, methotrexate
  • TNF inhibitors—Such as infliximab, adalimumab, etanercept, certolizumab, golimumab
  • Antibiotic medicines—Such as metronidazole, ampicillin, ciprofloxacin

Surgery

Very severe Crohn's may not improve with medicines. You may be advised to have the diseased section of your intestine removed. The two remaining healthier ends of the intestine are then joined together. You are still at high risk for the disease returning.
Surgery may also be done if you have an obstruction or fistulas.
Untreated Crohn's disease may lead to:
  • Fistulas—Abnormal connections between the intestine and other organs or tissues, such as the bladder, vagina, or skin
  • Intestinal obstruction
  • Arthritis
  • Eye inflammation
  • Liver disease
  • Kidney stones
  • Gallstones
  • Skin rashes
  • Osteoporosis

Prevention

There are no guidelines for preventing Crohn's disease because the cause is unknown.

RESOURCES

American Gastroenterological Association http://www.gastro.org

Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America http://www.ccfa.org

CANADIAN RESOURCES

Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of Canada http://www.ccfc.ca

Health Canada http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca

References

Crohn’s disease. EBSCO Health Library website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/healthLibrary/ . Accessed November 20, 2007.

Crohn's disease. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website. Available at: http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/crohns/index.aspx. Updated January 18, 2011. Accessed February 7, 2013.

Feldman M. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 8th ed. St. Louis, MO: Mosby; 2005.

Ferri F, ed. Ferri’s Clinical Advisor 2010. Philadelphia, PA: Mosby Elsevier; 2009.

Goroll AH, Mulley AG. Primary Care Medicine. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins;2000.

Hou JK, Abraham B, El-Serag H. Dietary intake and risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease: a systematic review of the literature. Am J Gastroenterol. 2011;106(4):563-573.

Inflammatory bowel disease. American Gastroenterological Society website. Available at: http://www.gastro.org/patient-center/digestive-conditions/inflammatory-bowel-disease. Accessed February 7, 2013.

What is Crohn's disease? Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America website. Available at: http://www.ccfa.org/what-are-crohns-and-colitis/what-is-crohns-disease/. Accessed February 7, 2013.

10/2/2009 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance. https://dynamed.ebscohost.com/about/about-us: FDA approves new drug to treat psoriasis. US Food and Drug Administration website. Available at: http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm183851.htm. Published September 25, 2009. Accessed October 2, 2009.

Revision Information

  • Reviewer: Daus Mahnke, MD
  • Review Date: 09/2012 -
  • Update Date: 02/07/2013 -

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

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