Review article: medical treatment of mild to moderately active Crohn's disease

Crohn's disease is a chronic, debilitating subset of inflammatory bowel diseases, which may affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract. The most common sites of inflammation are the terminal ileum and/or the colon. Fistulous disease is present in up to 20% of patients, particularly in those having rectal involvement. The aetiology of Crohn's disease still remains obscure, therefore medical therapy is directed towards symptomatic relief in active disease and relapse prevention in the long-term setting. Contemporary Crohn's disease management comprises individual treatment depending mainly on Crohn's disease localization in the gastrointestinal tract and the disease severity. The mainstay of current medical treatment for mild to moderately active stages of Crohn's disease includes aminosalicylates, antibiotics, glucococorticosteroids and immunomodulators. Biologics such as anti TNF-compounds and anti-integrins are being introduced.