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• Inflammatory Bowel Disease Program
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• Crohn's Disease
  • What is Crohn's disease?
  • Who gets Crohn's disease and how common is it?
  • What causes Crohn's disease?
  • What are the symptoms of Crohn's disease?
  • What are the types of Crohn's disease?
  • How do you diagnose Crohn's disease?
  • What are the complications of Crohn's disease?
  • What is the course of Crohn's disease?
  • What are the goals in treating Crohn's disease?
  • What are the treatments for Crohn's disease?
  • What is the role of surgery in treating Crohn's disease?
  • What are the implications for fertility and pregnancy?
  • Should patients with Crohn's disease receive immunizations?
  • What should patients with Crohn's disease avoid?
  • What additional resources are available for patients with Crohn's disease?
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Crohn's Disease

Crohn's disease is a chronic disorder of unknown origin characterized by inflammation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract that can lead to a variety of symptoms including abdominal pain, diarrhea, intestinal bleeding and weight loss. This section will help you better understand your disease and those medications used to treat it.

• What is Crohn's disease?
  
• Who gets Crohn's disease and how common is it?
  
• What causes Crohn's disease?
  
• What are the symptoms of Crohn's disease?
  
• What are the types of Crohn's disease?
  
• How do you diagnose Crohn's disease?
  
• What are the complications of Crohn's disease?
  
• What is the course of Crohn's disease?
  
• What are the goals in treating Crohn's disease?
  
• What are the treatments for Crohn's disease?
  
• What is the role of surgery in treating Crohn's disease?
  
• What are the implications for fertility and pregnancy?
  
• Should patients with Crohn's disease receive immunizations?
  
• What should patients with Crohn's disease avoid?
  
• What additional resources are available for patients with Crohn's disease?

References

1. Lichtenstein GR, Abreu MT, Cohen R, Tremaine W. American Gastroenterological Association Institute technical review on corticosteroids, immunomodulators, and infliximab in inflammatory bowel disease. Gastroenterology 2006;130(3):940-987.
   
2. Langmead L, Rampton DS. Review article: complementary and alternative therapies for inflammatory bowel disease. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2006 Feb 1;23(3):341-9.
   
3. Caprilli R, Gassull MA, Escher JC, et al. European evidence based consensus on the diagnosis and management of Crohn's disease: special situations. Gut 2006;55, Suppl 1:i36-58.
   
4. Travis SP, Stange EF, Lemann M, et al. European evidence based consensus on the diagnosis and management of Crohn's disease: current management. Gut 2006;55, Suppl 1:i16-35.
   
5. Stange EF, Travis SP, Vermeire S, et al. European evidence based consensus on the diagnosis and management of Crohn's disease: definitions and diagnosis. Gut 2006;55, Suppl 1:i1-15.
   
6. Lichtenstein GR, Sands BE, Pazianas M. Prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in inflammatory bowel disease. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2006;12(8):797-813.
   
7. Lermeire S, Rutgeerts P. Current status of genetics research in inflammatory bowel disease. Genes Immun. 2005 Dec;6(8):637-45.
   
8. Carter, MJ, Lobo AJ, Travis SP. Guidelines for the management of inflammatory bowel disease in adults. Gut 2004; 53 Suppl 5:v1-16.
   
9. Sands BE, Cuffari C, Katz J, et al. Guidelines for immunizations in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Inflamm Bowel Dis;10(5):677-92.
   
10. Egan LJ, Sandborn WJ. Advances in the treatment of Crohn's disease. Gastroenterology. 2004;126(6):1574-81.
    
11. Hommes DW, van Deventer SJ. Endoscopy in inflammatory bowel diseases. Gastroenterology. 2004;126(6):1561-73.
    
12. Sartor RB. Therapeutic manipulation of the enteric microflora in inflammatory bowel diseases: antibiotics, probiotics, and prebiotics. Gastroenterology. 2004;126(6):1620-33.
    
13. Sandborn WJ, Fazio VW, Feagan BG, Hanauer SB; American Gastroenterological Association Clinical Practice Committee. AGA technical review on perianal Crohn's disease. Gastroenterology. 2003;125(5):1508-30.
    
14. Pearson DC, May GR, Fick GH et al. Azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine in Crohn's disease. A meta-analysis. Ann Intern Med. 1995;123:132-142.