IBD Facts and Statistics

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a disease affecting the digestive system. It is estimated that up to 1 million Americans suffer from it. For unknown reasons, the United States and Western Europe have the highest reported rates of IBD.

Accutane, also known as Isotretinoin, is a medication that is used to treat acne.  Accutane has many reported side effects.   It has been linked to bowel problems, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis.  In June 2009, the manufacturer of Accutane announced that it notified the FDA of its intent to discontinue the manufacture and distribution of Accutane in the United States.

People often confuse inflammatory bowel disease with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), although they are different. Irritable bowel syndrome causes chronic bloating, fatigue, cramping and abdominal pain, and its cause is unknown. Speculation holds that miscommunication between the brain and gastrointestinal tract might cause IBS.

Inflammatory bowel disease, on the other hand, includes symptoms such as abdominal pain, weight loss, vomiting, rectal bleeding and arthritic symptoms. IBD, unlike IBS, includes a host of digestive disorders with the two major ones being Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Doctors use a colonoscopy to diagnose IBD. Although there is no treatment for IBD, immunosuppresants, anti-inflammatory drugs and painkillers can alleviate the symptoms. Methotrexate, TNF inhibition, prednisone, azathioprine are some of the common immunosuppresants that IBD sufferers use. Severe cases of IBD require surgical procedures such as a permanent colonstomy, ileostomy, bowel resection, or strictureplasty. Alternative medical treatments also exist.

Although the pain and discomfort of IBD can limit the sufferer’s quality of life, the disease is rarely fatal. Nevertheless, those with inflammatory bowel disease have an increased risk of colorectal cancer. Colonoscopies used by doctors to diagnose IBD often catch the cancer at earlier stages, thereby increasing the sufferer’s likelihood of surviving. Recent medical scholarship speculates that IBD sufferers are at higher risk for endothelial dysfunction and coronary artery disease.

The symptoms of IBD, like many autoimmune diseases, wax and wane. Sufferers can go months and years without symptoms and then experience a sudden relapse, known as a flare-up. A few sufferers have never had a flare-up.  If you think you may have IBD or IBS, you should consult with your physician immediately.

Do you believe you or a loved one has been injured by Accutane®? Goldberg & Osborne can help.

The law firm of Goldberg & Osborne is dedicated to helping injured people nationwide and is currently accepting cases for Accutane® victims. For a FREE case evaluation, please call us toll-free at (800) 935-2770 or submit a short and simple online case form here.