LARGE AIRWAY DISEASE-ASSOCIATED WITH INFLAMMATORY BOWEL-DISEASE

Lung disease is a rare complication of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD ). Herein is a series of seven IBD patients who developed new, persist ent and unexplained symptoms of respiratory disease, particularly chro nic productive cough. Using a CT scan of the chest, a diagnosis of bro nchiectasis was made in five patients, while the diagnosis of chronic bronchitis was made in two patients. Factors, other than IBD, that cou ld account for pulmonary disease in these patients were absent. Severa l important clinical patterns for IBD-associated large airway disease mere uncovered and are reviewed in light of earlier case reports in th e medical literature. A discussion regarding the possible pathogenesis of IBD-associated airway disease follows.