Abstract

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is defined as chronic inflammatory intestinal disorder of unknown origin. Not only Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are widely known as such IBD, but Behcet's colitis and intestinal tuberculosis also belong to IBD. Particularly because intestinal tuberculosis is common disorder in Korea; Crohn's disease (CD) is on the increase, the differentiation of intestinal tuberculosis from CD is very important. Even though theses diseases have similar clinical feature, their eventual course is quite different. However diagnosis of IBD is intricate because of no pathognomonic feature. Recently introduction of CARD15/NOD2 gene polymorphism which causes increasing of incidence of CD intensifies genetic diagnostic tool research, and new diagnostic approach as systematic analysis of endoscopic findings is suggested. Therefore more advanced and more convenient method to diagnose IBD will be developed in near future. (Intestinal Research 2006;4:75-78)

• Keywords: Inflammatory bowel disease, Problems in diagnosis