MEDICAL AND NUTRITIONAL THERAPY FOR CROHNS-DISEASE

Current clinical research on the therapy for Crohn's disease has two b road foci: to better define the role and effectiveness of currently av ailable therapies and to develop promising new therapies. Aminosalicyl ates and corticosteroids remain the cornerstones of the medical therap y for Crohn's disease. Evidence supports the use of newer 5-aminosalic ylic acid products for maintaining remission. Budesonide, a steroid wi th reduced systemic availability, appears effective in inducing but no t in maintaining remission. Azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine have imp ortant roles in patients whose disease relapses frequently or who cann ot discontinue corticosteroids. Low-dose cyclosporine appears ineffect ive in Crohn's disease; however, new agents such as anti-tumor necrosi s factor antibody and fish oil appear promising. Finally, enteral ther apy is less effective than steroids for treating active disease but do es have an important adjunctive role in maintaining adequate nutrition .