Abstract
Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) of unknown origin with a distinct west-east and north-south gradient in their geographic distribution. Unidentified external factors in combination with genetic predisposition and intestinal microbiome are supposed to cause both diseases.
Periods of clinical activity and quiescent phases are typical of the disease course. Patients suffer from abdominal pain and diarrhoea, bloody stools usually occur in UC, while CD patients frequently develop purulent complications - intra-abdominal or perianal abscesses and fistulas.
Patients have to use long-term medical treatment with aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, immunosuppressive drugs or biologic therapy. Despite medical therapy, many patients undergo surgery for their IBD.
Most patients suffer from iron deficiency or iron deficiency anaemia, and there is also a risk of adverse effects of medical therapy.