REVIEW   

Minerva Gastroenterology 2021 March;67(1):79-90

Copyright © 2020 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Rheumatic manifestations in inflammatory bowel disease

Annacarla FINUCCI ✉, Maria Chiara DITTO, Simone PARISI, Richard BORRELLI, Marta PRIORA, Cristina REALMUTO, Enrico FUSARO

Unit of Rheumatology, Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy

Rheumatic manifestations are the most frequent extra-intestinal manifestations (EIMs) in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients, and they are responsible for a relevant reduction of quality of life. IBD is associated with a variety of musculoskeletal manifestations such as arthritis and non-inflammatory pain as well as with metabolic diseases, such as osteoporosis. Different imaging techniques (primarily ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging and X-rays) can help the clinician to correctly identify the nature of manifestations and to treat the patient accordingly. Nowadays, in the setting of IBD-related arthritides, different drugs are available and can be effective on both articular and intestinal involvement. Therefore, a multi-disciplinary approach provides an early diagnosis and a better clinical outcome that can only be given from the recognition and consideration of the different EIMs. As for rheumatic manifestations, namely IBD-related arthritis, an early intervention allows to control disease activity and to prevent structural damage.

KEY WORDS: Inflammatory bowel diseases; Spondyloarthritis; Arthritis