What symptom is typically present in patients with ileal disease in Crohn’s?

In patients with ileal disease related to Crohn's disease, bile salt diarrhea is a common symptom. The ileum is the last part of the small intestine where the absorption of bile salts and vitamin B12 occurs. When Crohn's disease affects the ileum, it can lead to malabsorption of bile salts, which then results in excess bile salts reaching the colon. This excess bile can cause diarrhea due to its irritative effect on colonic mucosa and increased fluid secretion.

Patients often experience diarrhea that is characterized by a watery consistency, which is specifically associated with bile salt-induced changes in bowel function. Additionally, the resultant malabsorption may contribute to weight loss and nutrient deficiencies, but the direct effect of bile salts in the gastrointestinal tract is particularly significant in these patients. It is important to note that other options do not accurately reflect typical symptoms found in ileal Crohn's disease, as weight gain, chronic constipation, and severe abdominal pain can manifest in different contexts but are not defining features of the ileal involvement specifically.