Internal Medicine

Life expectancy in Crohn's disease

introduction

Crohn's disease is one chronic inflammatory bowel diseasewhich accompanies the affected patient throughout their life. Many sufferers suffer from frequent Flare-ups, sometimes it can too Complications how constrictions in the intestine or fistulas occur. In addition, there are strong medications that often have to be taken for life. Therefore, for many patients the question of whether and how the diagnosis of Crohn's disease takes theirs Life expectancy influences a central position.

How does Crohn's disease affect life expectancy?

Generally, inflammatory bowel disease like Crohn's disease and Ulcerative colitis only one very little to no negative impact on life expectancy. Accordingly, those affected usually live just as long as healthy people. That applies as long as the disease treated by a specialist will and the Medication are set correctly.

Untreated Crohn's disease can lead to serious complications after a while, for example the so-called toxic megacolon, which is an emergency and must be treated immediately. It is therefore important for those affected to take their own treatment seriously, seek medical treatment and take the prescribed medication as directed by the doctor. This also reduces the likelihood of typical long-term effects such as constrictions in the intestine or fistulas, which would reduce life expectancy.

How do the relapses affect life expectancy?

The complications of a Crohn's disease flare-up can have a small impact on life expectancy.

Many patients have more after the first outbreak Thrusts, although in general the activity of the disease tends to decrease over time. The frequent occurrence of flare-ups can increase the likelihood of complications such as constrictions in the intestine Intestinal obstruction, Fistulas or Intestinal perforations (Perforations).

These complications are partial very dangerous and can represent a life-threatening situation. Correct medication and specialist care are therefore essential for Crohn's disease patients. Of the Thrust in itself but has seen statistically no negative impact on life expectancy of the patient. Statistical life expectancy is hardly affected even in patients whose disease cannot be well controlled and who therefore have repeated attacks.

What influence does the therapy have on life expectancy?

An optimal specialist therapy including appropriate drug setting is one Basic requirement for achieving a normal life expectancy in Crohn's disease patients! If left untreated, the disease can lead to serious and life-threatening complications.

Also some of those used for treatment Medication In rare cases, it can be severe and life-threatening Side effects to have. For example, increases Azathioprine the risk of developing skin cancer and Methotrexate can cause severe liver damage.
Even so, patients with Crohn's disease should by no means shy away from taking these drugs as directed by a doctor. The consequences of poorly controlled or untreated Crohn's disease clearly outweigh the side effects of taking the medication in terms of their negative impact on the patient's state of health.

What influence does the risk of degeneration have on life expectancy?

Generally, Crohn's disease patients are referred increased risk for the development of a malignant neoplasm in the intestinal area - i.e. from Colon cancer - on. If this happens, there is a significant reduction in life expectancy.

The risk of colon cancer depends on the one hand Localization of Crohn's disease. Patients in whom only the last part of the large intestine, the so-called rectum, is affected have the lowest risk. The risk increases with the number of intestinal sections affected. On the other hand, the risk of colon cancer depends on the Duration of illness. The more time has passed since the onset of the disease, the higher the risk.

The exact statistical probability of developing colorectal cancer in Crohn's disease patients has not yet been conclusively clarified. According to the latest studies, that is appreciated Colon cancer risk about three to seven times higher one than that of the healthy population. It is certain, however, that the risk is significantly lower than with ulcerative colitis. In addition, some studies suggest that long-term treatment for Crohn's disease with Mesalazine or Sulfasalazine provides some protection against the development of colon cancer.

That is the reason why, in contrast to ulcerative colitis, there is currently no special recommendation for the prevention of colon cancer with Crohn's disease - the normal one Colon cancer screening However, from the age of 50 should not be waived.