Autoimmune condition
Life expectancy with inflammatory bowel disease
Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, causes chronic inflammation of the digestive tract.
What the research suggests
For most people, inflammatory bowel disease has a limited effect on overall life expectancy, particularly when well managed. Outcomes are generally good with modern treatment, though severe or complicated disease carries more risk.
What changes the outlook
Maintaining remission, surveillance where indicated, and good general health support a typical outlook for most.
What helps
- Maintaining remission with treatment
- Recommended surveillance
- Good nutrition
- Not smoking, especially in Crohn’s
Estimate your own range
Answer around a dozen short questions and get a five-year age range based on your profile. It takes about two minutes.
Start the estimatorCommon questions
Does inflammatory bowel disease reduce life expectancy?
For most people, inflammatory bowel disease has a limited effect on overall life expectancy, particularly when well managed. Outcomes are generally good with modern treatment, though severe or complicated disease carries more risk.
What improves the outlook with inflammatory bowel disease?
Maintaining remission, surveillance where indicated, and good general health support a typical outlook for most.
Can I get a personal estimate?
This tool gives a statistical estimate as a five-year range based on your overall profile, including inflammatory bowel disease alongside your other answers. It is not a prediction. For personal medical guidance, speak to a GP or specialist.