IBD: Skin Complications

The prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has increased substantially from 1990 to 2017, according to Bridget E. Shields, MD, FAAD, who presented “Skin Complications of Gastrointestinal Diseases” at Dermatology Week 2023. “The incidence and prevalence of Crohn disease are greater in developed countries with the highest disease prevalence in Europe, Canada, and the United States, with over 1.3 million individuals in the United States,” she noted.

Dr Shields is an assistant professor in the department of dermatology at the University of Wisconsin in Maddison, WI. She spoke about the skin complications of IBD and how “early recognition of skin disease can prevent morbidity,” with the learning objectives of recognizing IBD-associated skin conditions, outlining an approach to IBD-associated skin disease diagnosis and management, and highlighting the importance of multidisciplinary care for patients with IBD-associated cutaneous diseases.

“IBD is a systemic process,” she urged. “Almost any organ system can be involved in this, including the musculoskeletal system and ocular, cutaneous, and hepatobiliary systems, so when we are seeing these patients clinically, put it into the context of this being a systemic process,” she added.

“Patients with inflammatory bowel disease can develop cutaneous manifestations due to the disease itself, secondary disease-associated inflammation, and IBD treatment,” Dr Shields said, adding “Cutaneous disease disproportionately affects young women with severe IBD.”

“Multidisciplinary care is crucial to successful management,” she concluded.

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Reference
Shields B. Skin complications of gastrointestinal diseases. Presented at: Dermatology Week; May 3–6; Virtual.