@Bella Dea,
bella :
you may want to have a look at this study from the NY presb. hospital .
link :
http://www.nyp.org/health/chrons-disease.html#top
i wouldn't suggest that you present your SIL with the whole article - it may simply be too scary .
you may find it useful to see if she is given the tests and help that MAY be helpful to her .
you may want to google for " crohn's disease+university hospital research " .
there any many research articles on that site .
i tried to establish a link but a2k does not want to pick up the link .
keep in mind that some of the articles appearing on the google site may be bogus , some advice may even be harmful - so very careful screening is necessary .
is there a university hospital research center for G.I. diseases accessible to your SIL ?
sending best wishes !!!
hbg