Extraintestinal lesions that are associated with ulcerative colitis and regional enteritis (Crohn disease) are recognized widely.<sup>1</sup>The 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.<sup>2</sup>The 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. <h3>PATIENT SUMMARIES</h3><h3>Patient 1.—</h3> 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

Sumner C. Kraft

Archives of Internal Medicine

Unexplained Bronchopulmonary Disease With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Six patients developed severe, unexplained, chronic bronchopulmonary disease from 3 to 13 years after the onset of nonspecific inflammatory disease of the colon, suggesting that ulcerative colitis and regional enteritis are systemic disorders.

Unexplained Bronchopulmonary Disease With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

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