Crohn’s disease and lupus erythematosus (lupus) are autoimmune conditions. Some forms of lupus may occur alongside Crohn’s disease, while others typically do not.
Lupus is an autoimmune disorder that occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks tissues throughout the body with inflammation. Prolonged inflammation can cause permanent tissue damage and worsening symptoms.
Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Like lupus, it is an autoimmune disorder associated with immune system inflammation. Unlike in lupus, this inflammation primarily attacks the tissues of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
This article reviews the similarities and differences between lupus and Crohn’s disease, how doctors diagnose them, and whether they can occur together. It also explains how drug-induced lupus develops and the outlook for people with these conditions.
A note about sex and gender
Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article will use the terms “male,” “female,” or both to refer to sex assigned at birth. Click here to learn more.
Lupus and Crohn’s disease are autoimmune disorders. This means a person’s immune system uses inflammation to attack healthy cells and tissue.
Both can cause periods of flares and remission. Flares are when symptoms worsen, while remission refers to either complete or partial symptom relief for some time.
Symptoms
Symptoms of lupus and Crohn’s disease can be similar depending on what body parts are involved. Both can affect the GI tract.
Some possible overlapping symptoms
Management
Lupus and Crohn’s disease require treatment with similar goals,
- decreasing symptom severity
- preventing flares
- stopping further damage to organs or tissue
Treatment approaches are different for the two conditions and often require medications to help treat and prevent flares.
Though both lupus and Crohn’s disease are autoimmune disorders, there are quite a few differences between them.
Who do they affect?
Both conditions can affect anyone. However, they have different primarily affected groups.
Lupus
According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, lupus
It states that African Americans, Native Americans, and people of Asian descent are more likely to develop the condition than white people. African Americans, Hispanic people, and those of Chinese descent appear to be more likely to have organ involvement than other groups.
Crohn’s disease
The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation reports that Crohn’s disease affects males and females equally, and doctors typically diagnose it when a person is 20–30 years old.
It also suggests IBD is more common in white people compared with those of other ethnicities. It has an erratic genetic component, meaning that although a person who develops it often has a family member with the condition, family history cannot predict new cases.
Body areas affected
Another difference between the two is the affected areas. Crohn’s
Lupus can affect several different organs and systems throughout the body, such as the:
- brain
- joints
- muscles
- tendons
- nervous system
- skin
- digestive system
- lungs
- heart
- kidneys
- eyes
- blood
- bones
- liver
Treatment and management
Management of each condition differs in terms of the medications and other therapies doctors use to treat them. Crohn’s often improves with medications, dietary changes, and, in severe cases, surgery.
A doctor
Diagnosing Crohn’s disease involves medical examinations and testing. Tests help a doctor rule out other possible causes of symptoms.
Tests a doctor may use include:
- blood tests
- a biopsy of the colon
- colonoscopy
- endoscopy
- X-rays or other imaging techniques
Diagnosing lupus also requires a medical examination and testing. Diagnostic tools
- a review of family history and symptoms
- tissue biopsies, such as from the skin or kidneys
- a urine test
- a blood test to check for certain antibodies
Lupus and Crohn’s disease very rarely occur together.
A recent
Drug-induced lupus
Although the two conditions do not commonly occur together, a
As the name suggests, drug-induced lupus develops as a reaction to a person’s medications. Several different drugs, including those used to treat Crohn’s disease, can cause it.
According to the
Drug-induced lupus may occur months or even years after exposure to the drug. Symptoms may resolve within weeks when a person stops taking the medication.
People with lupus and Crohn’s disease have a risk of developing other conditions.
Do other autoimmune conditions occur with Crohn’s?
People with Crohn’s disease are more likely to have certain chronic health conditions than other people. Some common co-occurring conditions
- respiratory disease
- arthritis
- cardiovascular disease
- kidney disease
- migraine or severe headache
- cancer
- liver disease
Meanwhile, people with lupus have a
However, with effective treatment and management, a person with either condition can often live a typical lifespan and enjoy a full life.
For helpful resources on managing and living with IBD, visit our dedicated hub.
Lupus and Crohn’s disease are both autoimmune disorders. They can cause similar symptoms and require treatment to help prevent flares and keep a person in remission.
Treatments can vary between the two conditions. Although they do not occur together often, a person may develop drug-induced lupus due to medications for Crohn’s disease.
A person with either condition will need to receive treatment to help prevent complications and other related health conditions from occurring. However, people with lupus and Crohn’s disease generally have positive outlooks.