Crohn's disease (regional enteritis)

Alternative names:

granulomatous ileocolitis; ileitis; inflammatory bowel disease; regional enteritis

Definition:

A chronic inflammatory disease that can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract but most commonly affects the ileum.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

The cause is unknown, but genetic factors seem to play a role. Chronic ulcerative colitis occurs in the same families. Inflammation frequently occurs at the end of the small intestine where it joins the large intestine, but it may affect any area of the digestive tract. The intestinal wall becomes thick, and deep ulcers may form. The disease may occur at any age, but adolescence and early adulthood are the prevalent age groups. Risk factors are family history of Crohn's disease or Jewish ancestry. The incidence is 7 out of 10,000 people.