Medicine
Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Risk of Thromboembolism
Quick fact
People with IBD have a 2 to 3 times higher risk of developing blood clots (venous thromboembolism) compared to the general population, and this risk can be particularly elevated during flare-ups and when hospitalised.
Why this is interesting
You might assume that a disease of the gut only causes digestive problems. So why are people with inflammatory bowel disease—like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis—at a significantly higher risk of developing dangerous blood clots?