Dr Scott
Pathophysiology
15 March 2017
Crohn’s Disease
ABSTRACT
Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease characterized by inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract that progresses to lesions.. The etiology of Crohn’s disease is not known but it is thought that a combination of environmental and genetic factors are the cause. Researchers have found several defective genes involved in the relationship between the innate immune system and the microbiome of the gut (Hart 229). The disease can manifest anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract between the mouth and the anus but is most often found in the ileum of the small intestine. Common treatments include drug therapies like corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, …show more content…
Some people with Crohn’s disease will not have symptoms for several years while others will be very symptomatic. Symptoms of the disease can include: diarrhea, rectal bleeding, weight loss and abdominal pain. Clinical signs of Crohn’s disease include hypoalbuminemia, low serum levels of folic acid, vitamin D deficiency, and low serum levels of vitamin B12 (Heuther and McCance 920-921)
ETIOLOGY The etiology of Crohn’s disease is still being studied but current research indicates that a combination of factors may be involved. It is thought that a combination of susceptible genes, immune system dysfunction and the gut microbiome may be the cause. (Suskind et al.). The disease is probably triggered when a genetically susceptible individual is exposed to environmental factors that damage the mucosal barrier in the gastrointestinal tract, negatively affect the microbiota in the gut, and stimulate an abnormal immune response (Boyapati et al.). …show more content…
Research is ongoing into the precise causes of the illness. The treatments for Crohn’s Disease are continually evolving as researchers gain understanding of its pathogenesis. Recent advances in treatment such as fecal transplants and stem cell therapy offer new hope for patients struggling with this sometimes debilitating disease. Works Cited
Boyapati, Ray, Jack Satsangi, and Gwo-Tzer Ho. "Pathogenesis of Crohn's disease." US National Library of Medicine. National Institutes of Health. Apr. 2015. Web.
García-Arranz, Mariano, Herreros, Maria Dolores, González-Gómez, Carolina, De La
Quintana, Paloma, Guadalajarace, Hector, Georgiev-Hristove, Tihomir, and Trébolf,
Jacob. "Treatment of Crohn's-Related Rectovaginal Fistula With Allogeneic
Expanded-Adipose Derived Stem Cells: A Phase I–IIa Clinical Trial." Stem Cells
Translational Medicine. N.p., 01 July 2016. Web.
Hart, Alisa L., Crohn’s Disease, Medicine, Volume 39, Issue 4, 229-236, 2011.