Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD) is a chronic, lifelong condition affecting 4.9 million people globally, with a higher prevalence in Westernized countries. The disease imposes a significant burden on quality of life and healthcare costs, making early diagnosis and effective management critical. This session will differentiate IBD from IBS, highlighting their shared symptoms but distinct pathophysiology and treatment strategies. A deeper examination of ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD) will explore their unique inflammatory patterns, disease progression, and complications, including the impact of chronic inflammation on the intestinal wall. The session will also discuss current diagnostic approaches and therapeutic strategies aimed at achieving and maintaining remission.
- IBS vs. IBD – shared symptoms, distinct conditions with different underlying causes and management approaches
- Intestinal wall infiltrated by acute and chronic inflammatory cells causing IBD lesions
- Ulcerative colitis (UC) – inflammatory process limited to mucosa, sparing deeper layers of bowel epithelium
- Crohn's disease (CD) – entire bowel wall becomes edematous and thickened, with deep ulcers leading to abscesses or fistulae involving the bowel, bladder, uterus, vagina, and perineum
