Etiology

  • Immune dysregulation

  • Genetic predisposition

  • Environmental factors (smoking ↑ Crohn’s, ↓ UC)

Pathogenesis

  • Chronic immune-mediated inflammation

  • Crohn’s: transmural, granulomas

  • UC: mucosal, limited to colon

Diagnosis

  • Colonoscopy with biopsy

  • Elevated CRP, ESR

  • Fecal calprotectin

Treatment

  • 5-ASA (UC)

  • Steroids for flares

  • Immunomodulators (AZA, MTX)

  • Biologics (anti-TNF, anti-IL-12/23)

  • Surgery (curative in UC)