Crohn’s disease is characterised by a chronic inflammation of any part of the digestive system; most commonly in the terminal ileum and colon. {{Cheifetz,A. 2014; Rameshshanker,R. 2012;}}. Crohn’s disease is one of many disorders affecting the small and large intestine which are collectively known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). {{Cheifetz,A. 2014;}} It is estimated that around 90,000 people in the UK are living with Crohn’s disease. {{ Cummings,J.R.F. 2008;}}
The spectrum of symptoms associated with Crohns disease, both GI and non-GI related, and the close correlation of Crohns disease with the remaining Infammatory bowel diseases; such as ulcerative colitis, complicate the diagnosis of Crohns disease. {{ Lichtenstein,G.R. 2009;}} Clinicians therefore often resort to the term ‘indeterminate …show more content…
{{&NA 2007; Stange,E.F. 2006;}} Thus, it has recently been proposed that Crohns disease should be referred to as a ‘syndrome’ rather than one distinct disorder. {{ Campbell,Jordana 2012;}}Main symptoms of Crohns disease include severe chronic diarrhoea, weight loss, abdominal pain, fever and rectal bleeding. {{&NA 2007; Lichtenstein,G.R. 2009;}}. On examination, the patient may present with signs of muscle wastage, abdominal tenderness and perianal fistulas. Non- GI related features of the disease can comprise inflammation of the skin, eyes and joints. An upper or lower GI endoscopy is used to confirm the diagnosis of Crohn’s disease. {{Lichtenstein,G.R. 2009;}}The definitive endoscopic characteristic