What is often present in patients with Crohn's disease?

In patients with Crohn's disease, the presence of a fistula is a common complication. Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract, but it most often involves the ileum and the colon. The inflammation associated with Crohn's can penetrate through the intestinal wall, leading to the formation of abnormal connections between the bowel and other organs (such as the bladder or the skin), or between different parts of the intestine itself. These abnormal connections are known as fistulas.

Fistulas can lead to a range of symptoms and complications, including infections, abscesses, and significant morbidity for the patient. Their presence is more typical in Crohn's disease as compared to other gastrointestinal conditions, making it a key feature of the disease that healthcare providers should monitor for in affected patients.

The other conditions listed, such as diverticulitis, herniation, and gastric ulcers, are associated with other gastrointestinal diseases or conditions, rather than being specific to Crohn's disease itself.