The Spectrum of Airway Involvement in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel disease is associated with a wide spectrum of central, large, and small airway abnormalities, including bronchiectasis. The bronchiectasis associated with inflammatory bowel disease has a distinct phenotype, with marked inflammation and at times severe sterile bronchorrhea that can be responsive to inhaled corticosteroids.

Keywords: Airways disease; Bronchiectasis; Bronchiolitis; Bronchitis; Bronchorrhea; Bronchoscopy; Crohn; Extraintestinal manifestation; Inflammatory bowel disease; Purulent sputum; Small airways disease; Tracheitis; Ulcerative colitis; Upper airway obstruction.