Inflammatory bowel disease

Article Abstract:

The variable and non-specific nature of inflammatory bowel disease may make assessment of treatment difficult despite the increasing availability of a wide range of drugs. In cases of ulcerative colitis, complete remission is definable, usually by a lack of rectal bleeding and diarrhea and signs of mucosal healing which may be seen using endoscopy. Assessing remission in cases of Crohn's disease is more difficult, due to the variable nature of the disease and the dissociation between endoscopic and clinical findings. Corticosteroids were the first drugs used to treat inflammatory bowel disease, but may be superseded by the use of the immunomodulatory agents azathioprine and mercaptopurine for long-term treatment. Aminosalicylates have been used for treatment and during remission, although the understanding of their anti-inflammatory activity is incomplete. Antibiotics may be effective in treatment of Crohn's disease, but they have little proven effectiveness against ulcerative colitis. Nutritional and supportive therapies include fish oil supplements and antidiarrheal drugs.

Immune response, Ulcerative colitis, Inflammatory bowel diseases, Immune response regulation

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Infliximab for the treatment of fistulas in patients with Crohn's disease

Article Abstract:

The drug infliximab appears to be beneficial in treating fistulas in people with Crohn's disease. Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that can cause fistulas, which are abnormal openings between organs. Researchers randomly assigned 94 people with Crohn's disease and fistulas that opened onto the skin to receive two different dosages of infliximab or a placebo. Infliximab is a monoclonal antibody that blocks tumor necrosis factor. Over half the patients who received infliximab experienced a decrease in the number of fistulas compared to 26% of those receiving placebo. The fistulas closed completely in 40-50% of the infliximab group compared to 13% of the placebo group.

Care and treatment, Evaluation, Complications and side effects, Fistula, Intestinal, Intestinal fistula

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A short-term study of chimeric monoclonal antibody to cA2 to tumor necrosis factor alpha for Crohn's disease

Article Abstract:

A monoclonal antibody against tumor necrosis factor alpha with the generic name infliximab may be beneficial in patients with Crohn's disease. Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease and tumor necrosis factor alpha is believed to be involved. Researchers randomly assigned 108 patients with Crohn's disease to receive an intravenous infusion of a placebo or three different doses of infliximab. Between 50% to 80% of the infliximab group responded with reduced symptoms, compared to 17% of the placebo group. Thirty-three percent of the infliximab group went into remission, compared to 4% of the placebo group.

Health aspects, Tumor necrosis factor

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