FAQ: What Are Predictive Risk Factors for Disease Severity in CD and UC?

In this FAQ video module, Erin Darguzas, NP, Gastroenterology Specialist at Northwestern Medicine, discusses the predictive risk factors for disease severity in Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Over the past 15 years, researchers have identified multiple prognostic factors that can help predict disease progression and guide individualized IBD management.

For moderate to severe Crohn’s disease, key factors include age at diagnosis (before 40), disease location (small bowel, colonic, or upper GI involvement), and disease behavior (structuring, penetrating, or perianal disease). Additional concerns include deep ulcers on endoscopy, significant weight loss, low albumin levels, smoking history, and genetic markers.

For ulcerative colitis, predictors of severity include age at diagnosis (before 50), frequency of disease flares, need for frequent therapy changes, and failure to achieve endoscopic remission. Pathology findings, such as persistent neutrophil infiltration, and treatment adherence history are also crucial in determining long-term outcomes.

Early identification of these prognostic factors allows for a more personalized treatment approach, improving patient outcomes in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) management. Watch this video to learn more about Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis risk factors. For additional resources, visit the GHAPP website or download the GHAPP ACE app.