Quiz: Inflammatory Bowel Disease

May 14, 2019

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) describes a group of diseases that involve chronic inflammation of the digestive tract. The two main types of IBD are ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease.1 In a healthy person, the immune system usually attacks and kills foreign invaders such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and other microorganisms. However, in people with IBD, the immune system mounts an inappropriate response in the intestinal tract, or gut, resulting in prolonged inflammation.2,3

Both UC and Crohn’s disease are chronic conditions that can flare-up unpredictably, although patients can also have periods of good health (remission).2 Take this quiz to test your knowledge of IBD.

First, you can refresh your understanding of IBD here.

At least once a month, different friends or colleagues approach me to share that they or their children have been diagnosed with IBD. The more I hear these stories, the more I see how critical it is for us to make progress in developing safer, more effective treatments for people with IBD. I think we're getting closer.

- Swati Tole, Senior Group Medical Director, Genentech

1. Which of the following conditions is considered an Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)?

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
None of the above
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Celiac Disease
None of these conditions are considered IBD. Though they have similar names, IBD is different from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Unlike IBD, IBS does not cause inflammation, ulcers or other damage to the bowel. With IBS, the digestive system looks normal but does not function like it should. Symptoms of IBS include cramps, bloating, mucus in the stool, diarrhea and constipation. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease where the ingestion of gluten leads to damage to the small intestine, and GERD occurs when stomach acid frequently flows back into the esophagus.

2. True or False: There is no cure for IBD.3

False
True
There is no cure for IBD. As doctors do not yet fully understand what causes the disease, people with IBD may feel concerned, confused and anxious about their future. Treatment goals for IBD are evolving, but there is a significant need for new treatment options that address the challenges and are effective, safe and convenient.

3. True or False: IBD is an unpredictable disease, with periods of flares and remission.2,4

False
True
IBD is known for its complicated and unpredictable nature. During periods of good health, people with IBD may feel strong and well. However, IBD symptoms can flare up at any time, often for prolonged periods. During these periods, individuals with IBD can experience a variety of disruptive symptoms from frequent bowel movements and abdominal pain to even hospitalizations and surgeries.

4. True or False: In both ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease, the entire gastrointestinal tract can become inflamed.2,5,6

False
True
In Crohn’s disease, inflammation can begin anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract (from the mouth to anus), and all layers of the bowel walls may be inflamed so patients often experience more severe abdominal pain. However, with UC, inflammation affects only the inner lining of the colon, and the affected area begins at or near the rectum. Due to these differences, bloody stools are more common in individuals with UC compared to those with Crohn’s disease.

5. True or False: People can stop responding to IBD treatment over time.1,7,8

True
False
It’s estimated that about 80% of people with moderate to severe IBD do not experience long-term remission. Treatment goals focused on healing inflammation and ulceration in the gut may better predict long-term health.

6. True or False: IBD is very rare in the United States.2,9,10

False
True
IBD is actually most common in the United States and Europe, with approximately 3.6 million people living with the disease (1.4 million and 2.2 million in each region, respectively). IBD has an increased rate of diagnosis in adults between 15 and 35 years old. The number of people being diagnosed with IBD has also been rising, which may be due in part to better detection and diagnosis.

7. True or False: IBD is caused by a prolonged state of inflammation that causes injury to the gut.11,12

False
True
Inflammation in IBD is caused by an increased number of white blood cells. In people without IBD, white blood cells are able to attack and remove foreign cells from the gut. In patients with IBD, there is an increased number of white blood cells present which triggers an exaggerated immune response in the gut, and damage is caused through excessive and continuous inflammation.

8. The highest concentration of the microorganisms, or microbes, that live within our bodies is found in the intestines. How many microbes typically live in our gut?

Trillions
Millions
Thousands
Hundreds
It is estimated there are trillions of microorganisms in our gut, which may weigh as much as five pounds! Our body is home to a vast ecosystem of microorganisms, and their combined genetic material, containing millions of genes, is known as the microbiome. Read more about the work we are doing to understand the role the microbiome might play in IBD here.

IBD is an area of real unmet need where there is the potential to make a significant difference in people’s lives. Read about the work that we are doing to better understand the causes of the disease, and the role the microbiome might play, and ultimately, help people living with IBD.


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