It is also called granulomatous enteritis, regional enteritis, or terminal ileitis. The disease is found in equal frequency in men and women, and usually affects young patients in their teens or early twenties. Once the disease begins, it tends to be a chronic, recurrent condition with periods of remission and disease exacerbation. The disease tends to be more common in relatives of patients with Crohn's disease. It is also more common among relatives of patients with ulcerative colitis.
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory condition involving only the large intestines.
Certain ethnic groups, especially those of Jewish descent, have a higher incidence of disease. For further information, please visit the Ulcerative Colitis forum.