Women and Crohn's Patients Face Higher Risk of Skin Disorders in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Study Finds

The researchers reported, "About one in three people with IBD had skin problems, mainly aphthous stomatitis and atopic dermatitis in ulcerative colitis cases. Perianal fissures were common in those with Crohn’s disease. Skin issues were more frequent in women and married individuals, with female patients especially prone to psoriasis and aphthous stomatitis."

IBD is a chronic inflammatory condition primarily targeting the gastrointestinal tract. However, its impact often extends beyond the intestines, giving rise to extraintestinal manifestations (EIMs), including those affecting the skin. This cross-sectional study aimed to explore how frequently such skin disorders occur in IBD patients and identify associated factors.

The research was conducted on patients referred to the gastroenterology and dermatology clinics of the Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex in Tehran between March 2020 and March 2021. A total of 226 patients were evaluated, including 59 diagnosed with Crohn’s disease and 167 with ulcerative colitis (UC). Each patient underwent a thorough skin examination by both a gastroenterologist and a dermatologist.

The study revealed the following findings:

• 38.1% of all IBD patients exhibited inflammatory skin disorders at the time of evaluation.
• 52.5% of patients with Crohn’s disease had skin conditions, compared to 32.9% of those with ulcerative colitis.
• Skin manifestations were more frequently observed when IBD was active.
• Aphthous stomatitis and atopic dermatitis were the most common skin disorders, each affecting 11.1% of patients.
• Perianal fissures were the most frequent dermatologic issue in patients with Crohn’s disease.
• Women were at a higher likelihood of developing skin conditions, particularly aphthous stomatitis and psoriasis.
• Married individuals experienced a greater prevalence of skin manifestations than unmarried patients.

The authors emphasize that patients with IBD, especially those with Crohn’s disease, women, and married individuals, are at elevated risk for dermatologic complications. Routine skin assessments are strongly recommended for these subgroups to ensure timely diagnosis and management of skin-related EIMs.

The study highlights the importance of multidisciplinary care in managing IBD. Dermatologic evaluation should be integrated into routine assessments for IBD patients, as skin involvement not only affects quality of life but may also reflect disease activity.

"Further research is warranted to better understand the underlying mechanisms linking IBD and skin disorders and to develop tailored strategies for their prevention and treatment," the authors concluded.

Reference:

Hamzelou, S., Daryani, N.E., Yousefi, E. et al. Prevalence of inflammatory skin disorders in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Arch Dermatol Res 317, 786 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-025-04282-z