Introduction

Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.

Crohn's disease

Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by transmural inflammation, which can affect all bowel wall layers. The disease commonly affects the terminal ileum and ascending colon but can impact any GI tract segment, from the mouth to the anus.

Predisposing factors

The etiology of Crohn's disease is idiopathic, which means that the specific cause of the disease is unknown despite ongoing research and investigation by medical professionals and scientists. However, genetic susceptibility, environmental factors, altered gut microbiota, and a dysregulated immune response are predisposing factors. The immune system in people with Crohn's disease appears to react abnormally to the gut microbiota, leading to chronic inflammation.

Pathophysiology

The onset of Crohn's disease involves an infiltration around an intestinal crypt, evolving into small, focal ulcers that extend from the superficial mucosa to deeper layers. As inflammation progresses, non-caseating granulomas form small clumps of immune cells, impacting all layers of the intestinal wall. This process gives rise to characteristic features like classic cobblestone mucosal appearances and skip lesions. Skip lesions represent normal bowel segments between diseased portions. Eventually, the intestinal lumen narrows due to a thickened bowel wall.

Clinical manifestations

The clinical manifestations of Crohn's disease vary based on the severity and location of the inflammation. Common symptoms include abdominal pain in the right lower quadrant, diarrhea, weight loss, and fatigue.

Extraintestinal manifestations of Crohn's disease are arthritis, skin lesions like erythema nodosum, and ocular disorders, including uveitis and episcleritis.

Complications

Crohn's disease can result in various gastrointestinal complications. Chronic inflammation may lead to strictures, causing intestinal narrowing, and symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, and obstruction. Deep ulcers can give rise to abscesses or fistulas, and severe cases may lead to intestinal perforation. Long-term inflammation, particularly in the colon, raises the risk of colorectal cancer. Additionally, nutritional complications, such as malnutrition and anemia, can arise due to impaired absorption and inflammation-related factors. Early detection and management are crucial to mitigate these complications.