GASTROENTEROLOGY   BOWEL PREPARATION   INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES

What is Inflammatory bowel diseases?

The term inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) covers a group of disorders in which the intestines become inflamed (red and swollen), probably as a result of an immune reaction of the body against its own intestinal tissue.

Two major types of IBD are described: ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory disease of the colonic mucosa with unknown causes, which in almost all the cases affects the rectum and often extends to more proximal regions of the colon.¹ Crohn’s disease is a inflammatory disease, which can affect the small bowel only, the colon only, or both small bowel and colon at the same time. Collectively these conditions are often referred to under the more generic name of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).²

Both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are diseases of young peolple with a peak incidence between the ages of 10 and 40 years. They may, however, affect peolple of any age and 15% of people are over the age of 60 at diagnosis. Up to 240 000 people are affected by IBD in the UK.⁴

The causes of inflammatory bowel disease is unknown.  The consensus is that both diseases are a response to environmental triggers in genetically susceptible individuals. ⁴

Links

For more information we recommend you to visit the following websites:

• www.healingwell.com/ibd
• www.efcca.org (The European Federation of Colitis Crohn Associations)
• www.CCFA.org (Crohn-colitis foundation of America/The American patient organisation.)

Please note that Ferring cannot accept liability for the content on the above sites, since they are not managed or controlled by Ferring.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Ferring disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.

Reference:

¹ I.R Wilding et al. Gastrointestinal spread of oral prolonged-release mesalazine microgranules (Pentasa) dosed as either tablets or sachet. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2000; 14: 163-169

² I.R Wilding. A Scintigraphic Study to Evaluate what happens to Pentasa and Asacol in the human gut. A Peer Review Journal. Supplement to November 1999.

³ M. Robinson et al. Mesalamine capsules enhance the quality of life for patients with ulcerative colitis. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 1994; 8: 27-34

⁴ M. J Carter et al. Guidelines for the management of inflammatory bowel disease in adults. Gut 2004; 53(Suppl V): v1-v16. Doi 10. 1136/gut.2004.043372

Downloadable Document