MANAGEMENT OF CROHNS-DISEASE IN ADULTS

Guidelines for clinical practice are intended to suggest preferable ap proaches to particular medical problems as established by interpretati on and collation of scientifically valid research, derived from extens ive review of published literature. When data are not available that w ill withstand objective scrutiny, a recommendation may be made based o n a consensus of experts, Guidelines are intended to apply to the clin ical situation for all physicians without regard to specialty. Guideli nes are intended to be flexible, not necessarily indicating the only a cceptable approach, and should be distinguished from standards of care that are inflexible and rarely violated. Given the wide range of choi ces in any health care problem, the physician should select the course best suited to the individual patient and the clinical situation pres ented. These guidelines are developed under the auspices of the Americ an College of Gastroenterology and its Practice Parameters Committee, Expert opinion is solicited from the outset for the document, Guidelin es are reviewed in depth by the Committee, with participation from exp erienced clinicians and others in related fields. The final recommenda tions are based on the data available at the time of the production of the document and may be updated with pertinent scientific development s at a later time.