PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF THE INTESTINAL-MUCOSA IN INFLAMMATORY BOWEL-DISEASE AND ARTHRITIS - SIMILARITIES AND DISSIMILARITIES IN CLINICAL FINDINGS

Although apparently dissimilar in both structure and function, the gut and locomotor system are linked by a number of clinical syndromes in which both are involved, In inflammatory bowel disease, intestinal muc osal inflammation is the primary problem, but may be associated with b oth axial and peripheral arthropathies. In the seronegative spondyloar thropathies the primary problem is in the locomotor system, but intest inal abnormalities may also be present. In addition, non-steroidal ant i-inflammatory drugs used in their treatment, may cause a distinct ent eropathy which may be confused with the disease-related intestinal abn ormalities, The clinical, histological and genetic features of these c onditions are examined in order to assess their relationship and the c entral role of the intestinal mucosa in their pathogenesis.