Letter to the Editor

Atypical Presentation of Crohn Disease in an Asian-Indian Patient

Authors: Sagar U. Nigwekar, MD, Kevin J. Casey, MD

Abstract

Crohn disease (CD) is rare in Asian-Indian populations compared with developed countries; however, recent reports have suggested that the incidence is on the rise.1 Acute massive gastrointestinal hemorrhage is a rare complication of CD and is very rarely the first presenting feature.2 We hereby report the first case of acute massive gastrointestinal bleeding as a primary presentation of CD in an Asian-Indian patient.

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References

1. Desai HG, Gupte PA. Increasing incidence of Crohn's disease in India: is it related to improved sanitation? Indian J Gastroenterol 2005;24:23–24.
 
2. Kostka R, Lukas M. Massive, life-threatening bleeding in Crohn's disease. Acta Chir Belg2005;105:168–174.
 
3. Antia FP. Crohn's conundrum in Indians. Indian J Gastroenterol 1986;5:79–80.
 
4. Mardini HE, Kip KE, Wilson JW. Crohn's disease: a two-year prospective study of the association between psychological distress and disease activity. Dig Dis Sci 2004; 49:492–497.