Crohn's disease causes inflammation of the digestive tract; the symptoms of this inflammation are diarrhea or constipation and abdominal pain. Crohn's disease affects 2 to 7 out of 100,000 people, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, and can sometimes be a crippling condition. Besides the direct symptoms of the disease, the inflammation of Crohn's disease can lead to complications and other diseases, some which are located in other parts of the body.
Colon Cancer
According to the Mayo Clinic, there is an association between Crohn's disease and the development of colon cancer. Although the risk is higher for these patients, over 90% of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases never develop colon cancer. The risk of developing colon cancer increases with the length of time of the disease and if the entire colon has changes from the Crohn's disease.
Malnutrition
The abdominal discomfort and diarrhea may make it difficult for the patient to eat, and the damaged gastrointestinal tract may not be able to absorb nutrients properly. According to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America website, these deficiencies include protein, vitamins and calories. The nutritional problems typically occur after the patient has had Crohn's disease for a long time.
Liver Disease
The liver and biliary systems can develop inflammation in patients with Crohn's disease. One condition called fatty liver disease is the most common liver disease in these patients; the condition itself is relatively harmless, according to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America website. Other conditions include primary sclerosing cholangitis, which is inflammation and scarring of the biliary ducts and gallstones. About 1 percent of patients with Crohn's disease develop primary sclerosing cholangitis, and up to 34 percent of Crohn's patients may develop gallstones depending on the location of the inflammation in the colon.
Arthritis
Ankylosing spondylitis can develop in patients with Crohn's disease, according to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America website. This is a spinal arthritis that can be debilitating; ankylosing spondylitis is also associated with inflammation of the lungs and eyes. People with Crohn's disease can also develop other types of arthritis like peripheral arthritis, which involves the large joints of the arms and legs, or axial arthritis, which involves the lower back. Arthritis usually involves older patients, but the types of arthritis associated with Crohn's disease tend to affect younger people.
Eye Diseases
In patients with Crohn's disease, there is a higher risk of inflammation in different parts of the eye, as noted on the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America website. The most common complication is uveitis, which is inflammation inside of the eye that can cause pain, sensitivity to light and blurry vision. An eye doctor can prescribe corticosteroid drops to manage the inflammation; however, the uveitis also tends to improve when the Crohn's disease improves. Patients with Crohn's disease may also develop inflammation of the white covering of the eye called episcleritis, or they may develop dry eye syndrome.
Bone Loss
According to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America, 30 to 60 percent of people with Crohn's disease have low bone density, which can lead to osteoporosis. There are few symptoms until the bones get so weak that they begin to fracture. The use of corticosteroids for therapy and malnutrition are two possible reasons for the development of bone loss in these patients.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Crohn's Disease
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Crohn's Disease
- Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America: Crohn's Disease
- Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America: Extraintestinal Complications: Liver Disease
- Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America: Extraintestinal Complications of IBD: Arthritis
