Liver disease occurs in about 5% of patients with inflammatory bowel disease. The most common is fatty liver. It typically does not progress to chronic liver disease. Primary sclerosing cholangitis is a severe inflammation and scarring that develops in the bile ducts. About half of all patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis have inflammatory bowel disease. It occurs more frequently in people with ulcerative colitis (5%) than in those with Crohn's disease (1%), affecting men more than women. Symptoms include jaundice, nausea, weight loss, and itching. Primary sclerosing cholangitis may not improve with medical treatment for inflammatory bowel disease and may ultimately require liver transplantation. Rarely, cancer of the bile ducts may develop. There is also an increased incidence of cancer of the colon in inflammatory bowel disease patients who have sclerosing cholangitis.

As early recognition often means more effective treatment, if you have inflammatory bowel disease and are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should alert your physician immediately.