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Please note, IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) should
not be confused with IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) which is a
completely separate condition, but which shares some symptoms with IBD (visit
the Gut Trust website)
The two main types of IBD are Ulcerative Colitis (UC)
and Crohn’s Disease. A less well-known type of IBD is Microscopic
Colitis [see
our information sheet], which covers two types of bowel inflammation
called Collagenous Colitis and Lymphocytic Colitis. Inflammation of the
gastrointestinal tract may also be caused by other conditions, such as
radiation colitis [visit
the Cancer BACUP website] and diversion colitis [visit
the ia website], but are not considered IBD.
Facts and
Figures
For both illnesses
 Together,
UC and Crohn’s Disease affect about 1 person in every 250 in the United
Kingdom population
Ulcerative Colitis
(UC)
and Crohn’s Disease are chronic (ongoing) conditions, which are not infectious
The
most common age for diagnosis is between 10 and 40 (although diagnosis
can occur at any age)
In
both UC and Crohn’s there is a higher chance of developing either
illness if you have a close relative who has the condition
In
10-15% of cases, UC and Crohn’s may be difficult to distinguish
Men
and women suffer equally
Ulcerative Colitis (UC)
Affects
up to 120,000 people in the UK, that’s about 1 in 500
Between
6,000 and 12,000 new cases are diagnosed each year
Crohn's Disease
Affects
approximately 60,000 people in the UK, that’s about 1 in 1000
Between
3,000 and 6,000 new cases are diagnosed each year
Research
shows that the number of people with Crohn’s Disease has been rising
steadily, particularly among young people. More recently, numbers have
stabilised
What is it?
Ulcerative Colitis
It
affects the rectum and sometimes the colon (large intestine).
Inflammation and many tiny ulcers develop on the inside lining of the
colon resulting in urgent and bloody diarrhoea, pain and continual
tiredness. The condition varies as to how much of the colon is affected
In
addition, UC can cause inflammation in the eyes, skin and joints
If
the inflammation is only in the rectum it is known as proctitis
Crohn's Disease
It
can affect anywhere from the mouth to the anus but most commonly affects
the small intestine and/or colon. It causes inflammation, deep ulcers
and scarring to the wall of the intestine and often occurs in patches
The
main symptoms are pain in the abdomen, urgent diarrhoea, general
tiredness and loss of weight. Crohn’s is sometimes associated with other
inflammatory conditions affecting the joints, skin and eyes
For both illnesses
The
severity of the symptoms fluctuates unpredictably over time. Patients
are likely to experience flare-ups in between intervals of remission or
reduced symptoms
The
cause or causes have not yet been identified in either illness. Both
genetic factors and environmental triggers are likely to be involved
Treatments
Ulcerative Colitis
Most
patients will be treated with drugs, including 5-ASA therapies (eg:
mesalazine) and steroids, to control or reduce the inflammation.
Suppressants of the immune system (eg: azathioprine) are used to
maintain remission. Some people need surgery to remove the whole of the
colon if their symptoms do not respond to treatment with drugs. If the
colon is removed, the small intestine leads to a stoma (opening on the
abdomen or ‘tummy area’) for emptying of liquid stool (faeces). Or a
replacement colon (ileo-anal pouch) is created by the surgeon reshaping
the end of the small intestine
Crohn's Disease
The
drug treatment is similar to that for Ulcerative Colitis (above). In
addition, various antibiotics can be used; and a new range of drugs are
being introduced called monoclonal antibodies (eg: infliximab). Crohn’s
Disease can also be helped by special liquid feeds which rest the bowel.
Surgery may be required to remove narrowed or damaged parts of the
intestine
Smoking
has an adverse effect on Crohn’s Disease, so patients are discouraged
from smoking
For both illnesses
UC
and Crohn’s are relapsing, remitting conditions. Most patients remain
under hospital follow-up. Urgent consultation or hospital admission may
be required for ‘flare-ups’
There
is no cure for UC or Crohn’s at present (except for UC, if the colon is
surgically removed), but treatment can control the disease in most cases
Worldwide
research is rapidly increasing understanding of IBD, and so hopes for
better treatments are high
Education,
work and social functioning
UC
and Crohn’s can affect young people during their education or as they
become established in their career. Most sufferers can be maintained in
remission for most of the time and are able to lead a full working life.
However, some who have severe disease do not achieve their educational
and career potential |
