The Prevalence of extraintestinal manifestations in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The term inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) refers to a chronic inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract of unclear pathogenesis. IBD consists of ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). The two most common manifestations of the disorder, both have a chronic course with episodes of acute activity. Their underlying pathogenesis and symptoms, however, are quite distinct. IBD has a multiple factor etiology involving genetics, immunological dysregulation and dysbiosis of the intestinal microbiome. The resulting chronic inflammation of the entire body is the cause of the symptoms and signs of the condition. Extraintestinal manifestations (EIM) occur in 5% to 50% of IBD patients over the course of their lifetime.
 PURPOSE: The aim of the study is to present the current state of knowledge about the prevalence of extraintestinal manifestations in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
 MATERIALS AND METHOD: The available literature in PubMed was reviewed to write the article, using the keywords ,,inflammatory bowel disease”, ,,Crohn’s disease”, ,, ulcerative colitis”, ,,extraintestinal manifestations IBD”. 
 CONCLUSION: Extraintestinal manifestations are evidence that IBD is not only confined to the intestine, these may involve many different organs other than the gut and may be more devastating than the IBD. Screening for EIM in these patients and prompt adequate treatment are essential. To adequately manage EIM and improve the quality of life of our patients, appropriate treatment regimens and therapies are required in a multidisciplinary team approach. Due to the lack of available dedicated diagnostic biomarkers for EIM, consideration of concomitant extraintestinal conditions in patients with inflammatory bowel disease might help in the selection and management of them. Clinicians caring for patients with IBD must be aware of these various systemic manifestations, as failure to diagnose and treat them early can result in significant morbidity.