Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic, idiopathic, inflammatory disease characterised by remissions and attacks starting from the rectum and progressing proximally, most commonly seen in adults aged 30-40 years. In Crohn's disease (CD), the clinic may vary depending on the extent of the disease. The most common symptoms are cramping abdominal pain and diarrhoea. Patients with severe disease may also experience fever and weight loss. The transmural inflammatory process may result in fibrotic strictures and patients may present with recurrent episodes of ileus. If the inflammation is aggressive, the process may result in the development of fistulae and abscesses.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD ) is a systemic disease which may affects both gastrointestinal system,extra-intestinal systems in many patients. Most EIMs are associated with ongoing episodes of intestinal inflammation. These include aphthous ulcers, type 1 peripheral arthritis, erythema nodosum (EN) and episcleritis. Other EIMs, such as ankylosing spondylitis and type 2 peripheral arthritis, are independent of bowel disease activity.