How Should We Treat Crohn's Disease?

Abstract

The causes of Crohn's disease are unknown, and there is no specific treatment for it. We know that it is a chronic granulomatous disease of the small and large intestines and that it has a peak incidence in the second and third decades and a tendency to cause strictures, fistulas, and abscesses. It involves extraintestinal sites in 15 to 20 per cent of patients, and multiple surgical resections for complication are required in 75 to 90 per cent of patients. The activity of the disease fluctuates greatly, making assessment of short-term therapy particularly difficult.¹ To date only adrenocortical steroids seem . . .