Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
GastroduodenalCrohn’s diseaseis a type of inflammatory bowel condition that affects the stomach or upper part of the small intestines. It is an uncommon manifestation of Crohn’s disease, causing symptoms like pain, vomiting, weight loss, and feeling full too soon while eating.
Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, from the mouth to the anus.It is typically categorized based on what area of the GI tract is affected.
This article will explore the subtype of Crohn’s disease known as gastroduodenal Crohn’s disease.
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Parts of the Digestive System
What Causes Crohn’s Disease?
While the exact causes of Crohn’s disease remain largely unknown, there is growing evidence of a genetic component at play. At least 200 genetic variations have been identified as associated risks for developing Crohn’s disease.
In addition to genetics,environmental factors, geographical location, and lifestyle habitshave all been thought to contribute to Crohn’s disease, including:
The use of some medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and oral contraceptive pills have been thought to increase the occurrence of Crohn’s, but more research needs to be done.
Who Gets Gastroduodenal Crohn’s Disease?
While Crohn’s disease is typically diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, gastroduodenal Crohn’s is more common in the adolescent population.
Another feature unique to gastroduodenal Crohn’s disease is that it’s rare for individuals to have solely gastroduodenal involvement. Most will have either had Crohn’s in another part of the GI tract previously or will have inflammation in another area of the GI tract at the time of diagnosis.
Isolated Gastroduodenal Crohn’s Is RareStudies have found nearly 56% of people with gastroduodenal Crohn’s had Crohn’s in another area of their GI tract in the past.Cases isolated to the gastroduodenal region are rare.
Isolated Gastroduodenal Crohn’s Is Rare
Studies have found nearly 56% of people with gastroduodenal Crohn’s had Crohn’s in another area of their GI tract in the past.Cases isolated to the gastroduodenal region are rare.
What Are the Symptoms of Gastroduodenal Crohn’s Disease?
The extent of symptoms people with gastroduodenal Crohn’s disease experience is largely dependent upon the amount of inflammation within their GI tract and the level of obstruction it causes.
Additionally, gastroduodenal Crohn’s symptoms can mimicpeptic ulcer diseaseorgastritis(inflammation of the stomach), making diagnosis difficult.
The most common symptoms of gastroduodenal Crohn’s include but are not limited to:
It’s also important to note that many people with gastroduodenal Crohn’s will initially be asymptomatic and diagnosis may be made incidentally upon further testing.
Diagnosing Gastroduodenal Crohn’s Disease
Diagnosis is usually made through a combination of medical history, physical exam, and procedures and imaging tests.
History and Physical Examination
A healthcare provider will take a thorough medical history, including a family history of inflammatory bowel disease, and review symptoms to diagnose gastroduodenal Crohn’s disease.
A physical examination of the abdomen can detect any tenderness, distention, or masses of concern. For people who are experiencing blood in their stools or rectal bleeding, a rectal examination may also be necessary.
Stool SamplesA fecal calprotectin test run on a stool sample can help rule out Crohn’s disease, as it is highly sensitive and specific to the disease. A negative result may help spare individuals from more invasive testing.
Stool Samples
A fecal calprotectin test run on a stool sample can help rule out Crohn’s disease, as it is highly sensitive and specific to the disease. A negative result may help spare individuals from more invasive testing.
Procedures and Imaging
Several procedures and imaging tests may be ordered to further evaluate a person’s symptoms. These may include:
Other imaging studies, such asMRIs(magnetic resonance imaging) andcapsule endoscopies, may be ordered. However, endoscopy, colonoscopy, and CT scans remain the most widely and commonly used options for diagnosing gastroduodenal Crohn’s.
How Crohn’s Disease Is Diagnosed
Why Does Location Matter in Crohn’s Disease?
Unlike withulcerative colitis,another inflammatory bowel disease, which typically only affects the large intestine and, more rarely, the end of the small intestine, people with Crohn’s disease can have inflammation anywhere within the GI tract.
The most commonly affected locations of the GI tract are the ileum (the end of thesmall intestine) and thecolon(the large intestine). In approximately .5% to 4% of all Crohn’s cases, the gastroduodenal region will be affected.
Location is key to understanding Crohn’s disease and initiating proper diagnostic measures, treatment, and management. Based on what areas of the GI tract are affected, people can experience varying signs and symptoms of the disease, highlighting the point that each case and treatment plan is individualized.
How Gastroduodenal Crohn’s Disease Is Treated
Gastroduodenal Crohn’s can be treated surgically or with medication.
Commonly used medications for the treatment of Crohn’s disease include:
When a person’s disease is extensive or is not responding to medication, surgical treatment is an option. Between 70% and 80% of people with Crohn’s disease willrequire surgery at some point in their disease course.It is often used to treat complications such as GI obstructions, fistulas, perforations, and more.
Summary
Gastroduodenal Crohn’s disease is a rare subtype of Crohn’s disease that affects the stomach and upper part of the small intestine. People with gastroduodenal Crohn’s disease may experience abdominal pain after meals, nausea, vomiting, bloating, and more, and should seek a thorough evaluation from their healthcare provider.
There are numerous treatment options, which all aim to control Crohn’s and put the disease into remission.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Veauthier B, Hornecker JR.Crohn’s disease: Diagnosis and management.Am Fam Physician.2018;98(11):661-669.U.S. National Library of Medicine.Crohn’s disease.Piovani D, Danese S, Peyrin-Biroulet L, Nikolopoulos GK, Lytras T, Bonovas S.Environmental risk factors for inflammatory bowel diseases: An umbrella review of meta-analyses.Gastroenterology. 2019;157(3):647-659.e4. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2019.04.016Schwartzberg DM, Brandstetter S, Grucela AL.Crohn’s disease of the esophagus, duodenum, and stomach.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2019;32(4):231-242. doi:10.1055/s-0039-1683850Song DJ, Whang IS, Choi HW, Jeong CY, Jung SH.Crohn’s disease confined to the duodenum: A case report.World J Clin Cases. 2016;4(6):146-50. doi:10.12998/wjcc.v4.i6.146Ropelato RV, Kotze PG, Junior IF, Dadan DD, Miranda EF.Postoperative mortality in inflammatory bowel disease patients.J Coloproctol. 2017;37(02):116-22. doi:10.1016/j.jcol.2017.01.001
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Veauthier B, Hornecker JR.Crohn’s disease: Diagnosis and management.Am Fam Physician.2018;98(11):661-669.U.S. National Library of Medicine.Crohn’s disease.Piovani D, Danese S, Peyrin-Biroulet L, Nikolopoulos GK, Lytras T, Bonovas S.Environmental risk factors for inflammatory bowel diseases: An umbrella review of meta-analyses.Gastroenterology. 2019;157(3):647-659.e4. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2019.04.016Schwartzberg DM, Brandstetter S, Grucela AL.Crohn’s disease of the esophagus, duodenum, and stomach.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2019;32(4):231-242. doi:10.1055/s-0039-1683850Song DJ, Whang IS, Choi HW, Jeong CY, Jung SH.Crohn’s disease confined to the duodenum: A case report.World J Clin Cases. 2016;4(6):146-50. doi:10.12998/wjcc.v4.i6.146Ropelato RV, Kotze PG, Junior IF, Dadan DD, Miranda EF.Postoperative mortality in inflammatory bowel disease patients.J Coloproctol. 2017;37(02):116-22. doi:10.1016/j.jcol.2017.01.001
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Veauthier B, Hornecker JR.Crohn’s disease: Diagnosis and management.Am Fam Physician.2018;98(11):661-669.U.S. National Library of Medicine.Crohn’s disease.Piovani D, Danese S, Peyrin-Biroulet L, Nikolopoulos GK, Lytras T, Bonovas S.Environmental risk factors for inflammatory bowel diseases: An umbrella review of meta-analyses.Gastroenterology. 2019;157(3):647-659.e4. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2019.04.016Schwartzberg DM, Brandstetter S, Grucela AL.Crohn’s disease of the esophagus, duodenum, and stomach.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2019;32(4):231-242. doi:10.1055/s-0039-1683850Song DJ, Whang IS, Choi HW, Jeong CY, Jung SH.Crohn’s disease confined to the duodenum: A case report.World J Clin Cases. 2016;4(6):146-50. doi:10.12998/wjcc.v4.i6.146Ropelato RV, Kotze PG, Junior IF, Dadan DD, Miranda EF.Postoperative mortality in inflammatory bowel disease patients.J Coloproctol. 2017;37(02):116-22. doi:10.1016/j.jcol.2017.01.001
Veauthier B, Hornecker JR.Crohn’s disease: Diagnosis and management.Am Fam Physician.2018;98(11):661-669.
U.S. National Library of Medicine.Crohn’s disease.
Piovani D, Danese S, Peyrin-Biroulet L, Nikolopoulos GK, Lytras T, Bonovas S.Environmental risk factors for inflammatory bowel diseases: An umbrella review of meta-analyses.Gastroenterology. 2019;157(3):647-659.e4. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2019.04.016
Schwartzberg DM, Brandstetter S, Grucela AL.Crohn’s disease of the esophagus, duodenum, and stomach.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2019;32(4):231-242. doi:10.1055/s-0039-1683850
Song DJ, Whang IS, Choi HW, Jeong CY, Jung SH.Crohn’s disease confined to the duodenum: A case report.World J Clin Cases. 2016;4(6):146-50. doi:10.12998/wjcc.v4.i6.146
Ropelato RV, Kotze PG, Junior IF, Dadan DD, Miranda EF.Postoperative mortality in inflammatory bowel disease patients.J Coloproctol. 2017;37(02):116-22. doi:10.1016/j.jcol.2017.01.001
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