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Crohn’s doesn’t have a specific diagnostic autoantibody, but:
ASCA (Anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies) are often found in Crohn’s
May also have elevated inflammatory markers like CRP or calprotectin
Crohn’s disease is a chronic autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks parts of the digestive tract, causing inflammation, ulcers, and pain. It can affect any part of the digestive system—from the mouth to the anus—but most often targets the end of the small intestine and the beginning of the colon.
Crohn’s is unpredictable, with periods of flare-ups and remission, and while there’s no cure, treatments can help manage symptoms and reduce inflammation.
Ongoing diarrhea (sometimes bloody)
Abdominal pain or cramping (especially in the lower right side)
Weight loss or poor appetite
Fatigue
Fever
Mouth sores
Anemia (low iron)
Joint pain
Delayed growth or puberty (in children)
In severe cases, it can cause bowel obstruction, fistulas, or abscesses.
The exact cause of Crohn’s disease is unknown, but it likely results from a mix of:
Immune system malfunction – the body attacks its own digestive tract
Genetics – more common in people with a family history
Environmental triggers – diet, smoking, antibiotics, or infections may trigger or worsen it
Gut microbiome imbalance
Diagnosis involves a combination of:
Blood tests (to check for inflammation or anemia)
Stool tests (to rule out infections)
Colonoscopy or endoscopy (to view inflammation or ulcers)
Biopsy (tissue sample of inflamed areas)
CT or MRI scans to view deeper areas of the digestive tract
There’s no cure, but several treatments help reduce inflammation and manage symptoms:
Anti-inflammatory drugs (like mesalamine or corticosteroids)
Immune system suppressors (like azathioprine or methotrexate)
Biologic therapies (e.g., infliximab, adalimumab) to block immune proteins
Antibiotics (for abscesses or infections)
Nutritional therapy or special diets
Surgery (to remove damaged bowel segments in severe cases)
Crohn’s is chronic, but many people live full, active lives with treatment
Some patients may require multiple surgeries
Long-term inflammation can increase the risk of intestinal cancer
Regular monitoring and healthy lifestyle choices can reduce flares
Affects about 1 in 200 people in the U.S.
Can begin at any age, but most often appears between ages 15–35
Equally common in men and women
More common in people of European descent, especially Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry
Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. (2023). Crohn’s Disease.
https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/what-is-crohns-disease
Mayo Clinic. (2023). Crohn’s Disease.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/crohns-disease
NIH – National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2022). Crohn’s Disease.
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/crohns-disease
Torres, J., et al. (2017). Crohn’s disease. The Lancet, 389(10080), 1741–1755.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(16)31711-1
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