Inflammatory bowel disease increases the risk of blood clots

Total Health | February 23rd, 2011

Research published online by the Journal Gut indicates that Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBDAn abbreviation for inflammatory bowel disease, a group of inflammatory conditions of the intestine. The two major forms are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.) can double the risk of potentially fatal bloodA fluid that transports oxygen and other substances through the body, made up of blood cells suspended in a liquid. clots (venousRelating to the veins. thromboembolismThe breaking away of a blood clot that is then carried in the blood from one point in the circulatory system to another point, where it lodges.) in the legs and lungs.

The term inflammatory bowel diseaseA group of inflammatory conditions of the intestine. The two major forms are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. typically refers to both Crohns Disease (CD) and Ulcerative Colitis (UC), both of which are chronicA disease of long duration generally involving slow changes. diseases involving the inflammationThe body’s response to injury. of the gastrointestinal tractThe gut, which begins at the mouth and ends at the anus.. Venous thromboembolism (VTE), which includes deep vein thrombosisObstruction of one of the deep veins, often in the calf, by a blood clot. Often abbreviated to DVT. (DVTAn abbreviation for deep vein thrombosis: the obstruction of one of the deep veins, often in the calf, by a blood clot.), pulmonary embolismObstruction of the pulmonary artery by a blood clot. (PEpulmonary embolism), and superior sagittal sinusMay describe one of a set of air spaces within a bone, or an abnormal channel within the body that may contain blood (usually venous blood) or pus (usually a fistula passing from a deeper infection to the surface). thrombosis (SSST), typically affects 2 in every 1000 people in developed countries each year.

The research, which took place between 1980 and 2007, included 50,000 adults and children with Inflammatory Bowel Disease and more than 477,000 members of the general public. The findings took into account the known VTE risk factors, such as a broken bone, cancerAbnormal, uncontrolled cell division resulting in a malignant tumour that may invade surrounding tissues or spread to distant parts of the body., surgery and pregnancythe period from conception to birth. The comparison identified that the risk of VTE was twice as high in the people with Inflammatory Bowel Disease compared with the general public.

The study further identified that the 20 years or younger age range had the greatest risk of VTE compared with all other age groups. The likelihood of a fatal blood clot in this age group remains very low, however it was six times as common among those with Inflammatory Bowel Disease as it was among the general public of the same age.
 

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