Inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel diseases
Micrograph showing inflammation of the large bowel in a case of inflammatory bowel disease. Colonic biopsy. H&E stain.
SpecialtyGastroenterology
Differential diagnosisGastroenteritis, irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease
Frequency11.2 million worldwide (2015)
Deaths47,400 worldwide (2015)

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of inflammatory conditions of the colon and small intestine, with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (UC) being the principal types. Crohn's disease affects the small intestine and large intestine, as well as the mouth, esophagus, stomach and the anus, whereas UC primarily affects the colon and the rectum.