Crohn’s disease vs. ulcerative colitis
Both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis (UC) are inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), but there are some key differences.
Crohn’s disease
- Inflammation may develop anywhere in the GI tract from the mouth to the anus
- Most commonly occurs at the end of the small intestine
- May appear in patches
- May extend through entire thickness of bowel wall
- About 67% of people in remission will have at least 1 relapse over the next 5 years
Ulcerative colitis
- Limited to the large intestine (colon and rectum)
- Occurs in the rectum and colon, involving a part or the entire colon
- Appears in a continuous pattern
- Inflammation occurs in innermost lining of the intestine
- About 30% of people in remission will experience a relapse in the next year