Crohn’s Disease is a subset of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which is a chronic autoimmune and inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract with increasing incidence and prevalence worldwide. 

• In the U.S. alone, estimated numbers of IBD patients as of 2015 are approximately 1.3% of the population and counting, or upwards of 3.1 million people. 
• Around the world, those numbers are upwards of 6-8 million and some sources cite as many as 10 million IBD patients globally.

Chronic inflammation that generally affects the ileum (end of small intestine) and the first portion of the colon. The disease may also develop in any part of the intestinal tract, including the mouth, esophagus, stomach, rectum and anus. **need a good diagram of areas affected by Crohn’s disease**

• • Inflammation within the intestines may create “skip lesions,” where there is patchy inflammation in some areas and no inflammation in other areas of the intestine.
  • The disease can occur at any age, but Crohn’s disease is most often diagnosed in adolescents and adults between the ages of 15 and 35.
  • Crohn’s disease can affect and penetrate the thickness of the bowel wall (throughout the small and large intestines).

Abscess: An abscess is a collection of pus caused by bacterial infection.

Bowel Perforation: severe inflammation may result in a hole developing anywhere along the gastrointestinal tract which can lead to sepsis; it usually requires immediate surgical attention.

Fistulizing disease: According to studies, 35-50% of Crohn’s patients develop at least one fistula. Fistulae are complications of Crohn’s that cause damage to the lining of the intestines and result in abscesses and abnormal tunnels between the intestine and another organ (e.g., bladder), or out onto the skin. Many fistulae can develop to the anal region and genitourinary areas (scrotum, penis, vulva, vagina, etc.), and are often referred to as perianal disease. **need a good diagram of a fistula**

Stricturing disease: Another complication of Crohn’s is an intestinal stricture, which is a narrowing of the intestine from inflammation. It prevents stool from passing through and can result in intestinal blockages and sometimes bowel perforations. **need a good diagram of a stricture and how it narrows the bowel**