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Crohn's disease

Description

An in-depth report on the causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of Crohn's disease.

Alternative Names

Inflammatory bowel disease - Crohn's disease

Highlights

Drug Approval

Adalimumab (Humira) was approved in 2007 to treat adults with moderate-to-severe Crohn's disease.

Infliximab (Remicade) was approved in 2006 for treating active Crohn’s disease in children. The drug was previously approved for adults with Crohn’s disease.

Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

NSAIDS such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), naproxen (Aleve), and celecoxib (Celebrex) are as safe for patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) as for people without IBD, according to several 2006 studies. The studies found that NSAIDs may provide pain relief and prevent symptom relapse. Still, patients with IBD should always discuss NSAID use with their doctors.

MMR Vaccine and Crohn’s Disease

The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine does not cause Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, according to a review in the Cochrane Database . The report is the most in-depth review of the vaccine to date.

Complications

According to recent studies in Gastroenterology :

• Asthma is the most common accompanying condition among patients with Crohn’s disease. Patients with Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis also have a higher risk for developing arthritis, bronchitis, psoriasis, and pericarditis.
• The risk for small bowel cancer (a rare type of cancer) is greatly increased among patients with Crohn’s disease, and colorectal cancer risk is slightly increased.
• Patients with IBD have a greater risk for developing multiple sclerosis and other disease that attack myelin (the fatty sheath that covers nerves).

Diet

Crohn’s disease, and some medications used to treat it, can cause low bone density and bone loss. According to a 2005 study, however, patients with Crohn’s disease may not need to take osteoporosis drugs. Calcium and vitamin D supplements may be adequate.

Investigational Drugs

Several biologic drugs are showing promising results in clinical trials for Crohn’s disease. Some of these drugs have already been approved to treat other inflammatory or autoimmune conditions:

• Natalizumab (Tysabri)
• Certolizumab (Cimzia)
• Sargramostim (Leukine)
• Fontolizumab (HuZAF)

• Review Date: 3/6/2007
• Reviewed By: A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: Greg Juhn, M.T.P.W., David R. Eltz, Kelli A. Stacy. Previously approved by Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital (8/21/2006).

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