Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Focus on Enteropathic Arthritis and Therapy

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory disease primarily affecting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and other organs. In this article, we provide a comprehensive review of IBD, particularly in the context of enteropathic arthritis and its therapeutic advances. Patients with IBD present with intestinal and extraintestinal manifestations (EIMs). Enteropathic arthritis or arthritis associated with IBD (Crohn's disease [CD] and ulcerative colitis [UC]) is the most common EIM and can involve both peripheral and axial joints with some overlaps. Furthermore, peripheral arthritis can be divided into two subcategories. Due to its varied inflammatory presentations and association with NOD2 mutations, CD can mimic other autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases. Differential diagnosis should be extended to include another NOD2-associated disease, Yao syndrome. Therapy for IBD entails a myriad of medications and procedures, including various biologics targeting different pathways and Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors. A better understanding of the therapeutic efficacy and mechanism of each drug aids in proper selection of more effective treatment for IBD and its associated inflammatory arthritis.