Patterns of airway involvement in inflammatory bowel diseases

Table 2 Key messages

In a patient with IBD and respiratory symptoms, symptoms should be initially attributed to the primary disease because of significant lung-intestine interference

IBD, asthma and COPD often coincide

IBD should be always remembered in the differential diagnosis of bronchiectasis and bronchiolitis

PFT and HRCT are necessary to evaluate a symptomatic patient

IBD related airway disease does not necessarily follow the course of colitis

IBD: Inflammatory bowel disease; COPD: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; PFT: Pulmonary function tests; HRCT: High resolution computed tomography.