Unexplained bronchopulmonary disease with inflammatory bowel disease

Extraintestinal lesions that are associated with ulcerative colitis and regional enteritis (Crohn disease) are recognized widely.¹The frequency and temporal relation of these complications have led to a general acceptance of the likelihood that these intestinal disorders are, in fact, systemic disorders.²The six patients we report in this communication developed unexplained severe pulmonary disease after the diagnosis of nonspecific inflammatory bowel disease. The cases are reported in detail as potential evidence for a relationship between the disorders. The pertinent clinical findings in each case are listed in Table 1, results of pulmonary function tests in Table 2, and other laboratory data in Table 3.

PATIENT SUMMARIES

Patient 1.—

A 53-year-old man had developed mild ulcerative colitis that involved the rectosigmoid colon in 1935 at the age of 17. A sister had ulcerative colitis also. The disease had remained inactive until 1947, when a severe exacerbation occurred and