Crohn's disease

Last updated: Wednesday, 24, November, 2010
Complications + AssociationsAppropriate Tests

Faeces - microscopy culture and antigen detection; faeces - ova, cysts and parasites, to exclude infection as the cause of prolonged diarrhoea.

Biopsy of the involved area.

Colorectal biopsy; Faecal calprotectin, FBC, blood film. protein (total) - serum or plasma and albumin - plasma or serum are useful for monitoring disease activity.

Crohn’s disease may present with a gastrointestinal or systemic complication.

Gastrointestinal complications

Malabsorption

Hypoalbuminaemia

Fistulae

Bowel obstruction

Peri-anal fistula/abscess

Lesion biopsy to establish diagnosis and to exclude other conditions.
Systemic complications + associations

Amyloidosis

Anaemia, related to

Treatment

Ankylosing spondylitis

Erythema nodosum

Hepatobiliary disease, including

  • Sclerosing cholangitis
See Cholestasis
  • Autoimmune hepatitis
See under Hepatitis

Splenic atrophy/absence

Treatment complications

Anemia, especially

  • Salicylazosulphapyridine
See Drug-induced oxidative haemolysis under Haemolysis and Impaired utilisation under Folate deficiency.

Corticosteroid excess