克罗恩病患者血清总 25羟维生素 D及细胞因子水平表达与疾病活动指数的相关性研究

目的　探讨克罗恩病患者血清总 25羟基维生素 D、细胞因子白介素 6（IL-6）、白介素 8（IL-8）和肿瘤坏死因子α（ TNF-α）在克罗恩病不同时期的表达水平以及其与疾病活动指数（ CDAI）的相关性。方法　选取 2018年 1月～ 2020年 12月在北京大学深圳医院就诊的克罗恩病患者共 100例纳入研究。收集患者的空腹静脉血,检测总 25羟基维生素 D,IL-6,IL-8和 TNF-α水平;采用 CDAI评估患者疾病活动情况,并根据 CDAI评分将患者分为四组,缓解期 21例,轻度活动期 32例,中度活动期 29例和重度活动期 18例。比较 CDAI评分不同分期患者的血清总 25-羟基维生素 D,IL-6,IL-8和 TNF-α的表达水平。并进一步分析比较患者 CDAI与血清总 25-羟基维生素 D水平及细胞因子 IL-6,IL-8及 TNF-α表达水平之间的相关性。结果　四组患者血清总 25-羟基维生素 D及细胞因子 IL-6,IL-8和 TNF-α的差异均存在统计学意义（F=34.281～ 128.53,均 P<0.05）。缓解期患者血清总 25-羟基维生素 D（23.49±3.46μg/     

3.0T和1.0TMRI评估克罗恩病活动性的研究

目的比较3.0T和1.0T MRI对评估活动性克罗恩病的诊断价值。材料与方法临床确诊为克罗恩病的患者66例,其中36例行3.0T MRI,30例行1.0T MRI,根据肠壁异常增厚、肠壁异常强化、肠腔狭窄、＂木梳征＂、肠系膜淋巴结增大、瘘道、溃疡及脓肿等MRI表现作为诊断标准,用3.0T和1.0T MRI分别评估克罗恩病患者病变的活动性并进行评分,≥4分则诊断为活动期克罗恩病,以临床诊断为金标准进行比较。对测量肠壁厚度的一致性检验采用双样本t检验,各种征象（显示率）的一致性检验采用χ2检验。结果 36例行3.0T MRI的克罗恩病患者中临床诊断为活动性克罗恩病25例;3.0T MRI共评估216组肠段,其中76组肠段肠壁增厚,平均厚度为（3.22±0.93）mm;增强后脂肪抑制T1WI异常强化肠段62组肠段（62/76）;7例发现肠段狭窄及狭窄后扩张,20例发现＂木梳征＂,9例发现肠系膜淋巴结肿大,2例发现溃疡,4例发现瘘道;36例患者评分为（3.22±1.27）分,其中18例患者评分〉4分;3.0T MRI评估活动性克罗恩病的敏感度为68.0%（17/25）,特异度为90.9%（10/11）,阳性预测值为94.4%（17/18）,阴性预测值为55.6%（10/18）。30例行1.0T MRI的克罗恩病患者中临床诊断为活动性克罗恩病22例;1.0T MRI共评估180组肠段,其中69组肠段肠壁增厚,平均厚度为（3.61±0.83）mm,异常强化肠段23段（23/69）;11例发现肠段狭窄及狭窄后扩张,6例发现＂木梳征＂,3例发现肠系膜淋巴结肿大,3例发现溃疡;30例患者评分为（3.13±1.25）分,其中9例患者的评分〉4分;1.0T MRI评估活动性克罗恩病的敏感度为47.4%（9/19）,特异度为100%（11/11）,阳性预测值为100%（9/9）,阴性预测值为52.4%（11/21）。在受累及肠段平均厚度以及肠壁异常强化、＂木梳征＂的显示率方面,3.0T MRI优于1.0T MRI（P值均〈0.05）。结论 3.0T MRI在评估克罗恩病活动性方面要优于1.0T MRI,主要表现在能更好显示肠壁增厚、肠壁异常强化及＂木梳征＂     

克罗恩病患者健康相关生活质量及其影响因素调查

目的调查克罗恩病患者健康相关生活质量现状及影响因素。方法采用方便抽样的方法,对南京军区南京总医院普通外科研究所的115例克罗恩病患者进行问卷调查。结果患者健康相关生活质量水平不佳,应用McMaster版炎性肠病问卷调查平均得分为(161.16±28.84)分;克罗恩病疾病活动指数平均为(187.61±105.27)分,为轻度活动期;焦虑、抑郁评分分别为(7.71±3.95)分、(7.04±3.67)分,均为轻度。影响克罗恩病患者健康相关生活质量的因素为此次克罗恩病疾病活动指数、焦虑、现工作(学习)状态。结论对克罗恩病患者应切实做好疾病护理,同时加强营养支持和心理疏导,并加强社会支持。     

小肠CT成像对克罗恩病活动性的评估价值

目的评估小肠CT成像(CTE)与克罗恩病临床症状之间的相关性。方法收集2016年9月至2019年9月60例克罗恩病患者CTE数据,并对患者的临床参数进行回顾性分析。其中CTE参数包括:肠壁增厚和强化,肠系膜脂肪增生,血管增多和并发症(瘘管、狭窄、脓肿)。克罗恩病疾病活动性评估采用克罗恩病活动指数(CDAI)和临床生化标记物(C反应蛋白、红细胞沉降率、血小板、血红蛋白)。利用回归参数分析CTE参数、临床活动指数及实验室参数之间的相关性。结果CDAI增加与脂肪密度增加(P=0.03)、肠道狭窄(P=0.04)、梳状症(P=0.01)有关。ESR升高与肠系膜淋巴结增大(P=0.04)和黏膜强化(P=0.01)相关。结论CTE显示肠周炎症(脂肪密度增加)表现和梳状症的克罗恩病患者,临床疾病处于活动,需要更积极的治疗方案。     

克罗恩病患者的凝血指标变化情况研究

目的研究克罗恩病(CD)患者的凝血指标变化情况。方法回顾性分析2015年1月至2019年6月首次诊断的53例CD患者(CD组)和54例健康志愿者(健康对照组)的临床资料。比较两组受检者的凝血指标、CD组不同活动度患者的凝血指标,分析凝血指标与克罗恩病疾病活动指数(CDAI)评分的相关性。结果CD组患者的纤维蛋白原水平、血小板计数、APTT均高于健康对照组(P<0.05);缓解期患者的纤维蛋白原、FDP水平、PT及APTT均显著低于中度活动期患者(P<0.05);Pearson线性相关性分析结果显示,纤维蛋白原、血小板计数、FDP及PT与CDAI呈正相关(P<0.05)。结论CD患者的凝血指标较正常人均显著升高,且纤维蛋白原、血小板计数、FDP及PT及和克罗恩病疾病的活动度密切相关。     

血清CXCL13在类风湿关节炎中的表达及意义

目的探讨类风湿关节炎(rheumatoid arthritis,RA)患者血清CXCL13表达及其临床意义。方法 RA患者81例为RA组,同期体检健康者21例为对照组,采用ELISA法检测2组血清CXCL13水平,比较以红细胞沉降率计算的28个关节疾病活动指数(disease activity score 28erythrocyte sedimentation rate,DAS28ESR)、临床疾病活动性指数(clinical disease activity index,CDAI)、简化的疾病活动性指数(simplified disease activity index,SDAI)。根据DAS28ESR将RA患者分为高、中、低度活动度者分别为21、26、34例,比较其血清CXCL13水平,DAS28ESR、SDAI及CDAI;Pearson相关法分析血清CXCL13与DAS28ESR、SDAI、CDAI的相关性;ROC曲线分析血清CXCL13诊断RA的效能。结果 RA组血清CXCL13水平[(97.17±54.43)ng/L]明显高于对照组[(42.91±10.71)ng/L](P0.05);RA疾病高度活动度者血清CXCL13水平[(148.99±58.70)ng/L]高于中度及低度活动度者[(88.69±45.91)、(72.06±35.02)ng/L](P0.05),中度活动度者血清CXCL13水平与低度活动度者比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05);RA高度活动度者DAS28ESR(6.25±0.86)、SDAI(36.55±14.24)、CDAI(32.97±11.94)均高于中度活动度者(4.08±0.60、15.34±6.14、13.73±4.87)及低度活动度者(2.17±0.61、3.58±2.99、3.12±2.79)(P0.05),且中度活动度者高于低度活动度者(P0.05);Pearson相关分析结果显示,RA组血清CXCL13水平与DAS28ESR、SDAI、CDAI均呈正相关(r=0.508,P0.001;r=0.430,P0.001;r=0.422,P0.001);ROC曲线分析结果显示,血清CXCL13以55.67ng/L为最佳截断值,诊断RA的AUC为0.86(95%CI:0.78~0.94,P0.001),准确率为71.95%,灵敏度为72.84%,特异度为99.11%。结论 RA患者血清CXCL13水平明显升高,且增高幅度与疾病活动度相关;血清CXCL13可作为评估RA患者病情严重程度的参考指标,在RA诊断中有较高价值。     

血小板相关参数对评估炎症性肠病活动性的临床意义

目的探讨血小板相关参数评估炎症性肠病(IBD)活动性的价值。方法回顾性收集2010年1月至2019年6月九江学院附属医院消化内科住院的溃疡性结肠炎(UC)及克罗恩病(CD)患者共206例,另选取于九江学院附属医院健康体检50例健康人员作为对照;收集研究对象临床资料,并依据病史、Myao活动指数、蒙特利尔分级及克罗恩病活动指数(CDAI)对患者进行分组及疾病严重程度分级。收集患者首次诊断时的血常规检测指标。结果IBD患者的血小板相关参数除P-LCR外与对照组比较均有明显差异(P<0.05);CD患者PCT及PLT显著高于UC(P分别0.007、<0.001);IBD活动期患者血小板参数与对照组存在显著差异(P<0.05);且UC患者病情与血小板参数存在相关性,重度患者PLT高于轻度患者(P<0.05)、MPV低于轻度患者(P=0.001);将MPV、PDW、P-LCR、PCT、PLT联合诊断IBD的活动性,得到AUC=0.857,95%CI 0.803~0.912,P<0.05。结论MPV、PDW在IBD活动期降低;PLT、PCT则增高;血小板相关参数联合诊断可较好反映IBD活动性。     

CT小肠造影在炎症性肠病中的诊断价值

目的 探讨结肠镜及CT小肠造影(CTE)在炎症性肠病(IBD)诊断中的价值.方法 选取昆明医科大学第一附属医院消化内科2017年9月至2019年9月经内镜及病理检查确诊的IBD患者为研究对象,其中溃疡性结肠炎(UC)患者68例,克罗恩病(CD)患者37例,回顾性分析所有患者的结肠镜及CTE表现.结果 105例患者均完成结肠镜检查,其中有28例UC患者进一步完成CTE检查,有30例CD患者进一步完成CTE检查.疾病活动性分级为轻度、中度、重度UC患者的改进的Baron分级标准评分比较,差异有统计学意义(F=0.748,P<0.001);疾病活动性分级为轻度、中度、重度CD患者的SES-CD评分比较,差异有统计学意义(F=0.646,P<0.001).UC患者以对称性增厚为主,CD患者以非对称性增厚为主,且CD患者较UC患者更易发现肠管僵直、梳妆征及肠周渗出等(P<0.05).疾病活动性分级为轻度、中度、重度UC患者的CTE下管壁总厚度比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);疾病活动性分级为轻度、中度、重度CD患者的CTE下管壁总厚度比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).结论 CTE能客观评价肠道炎症垂直扩散程度及肠外表现,结肠镜结合CTE有助于IBD的诊断.     

克罗恩病病人睡眠质量与疾病活动度及负性情绪的相关性分析

[目的]分析克罗恩病(CD)病人睡眠质量与疾病活动度、焦虑和抑郁情绪之间的关系。[方法]采用匹兹堡睡眠质量指数量表(PSQI)、Best克罗恩病疾病活动指数(CDAI)、汉密尔顿焦虑量表(HAMA)和汉密尔顿抑郁量表(HAMD)对在炎症性肠病专科门诊就诊及肛肠科住院的108例CD病人进行测评。[结果]病人PSQI总分为(8.40±2.26)分,睡眠障碍发生率达67.6%;CDAI总分为(158.97±35.76)分,HAMA总分为(7.79±2.30)分、HAMD总分为(8.73±2.48)分;PSQI总分及其各维度与CDAI、HAMA和HAMD总分呈正相关(P0.05)。[结论]CD病人睡眠质量欠佳,临床应重视其与疾病活动度、焦虑和抑郁情绪之间的相关关系,并采取针对性措施提高病人的睡眠质量。     

溃疡性结肠炎患者血清巨噬细胞移动抑制因子的临床意义

目的 探讨巨噬细胞移动抑制因子(MIF)在炎症性肠病发病中的意义.方法 检测38例活动期溃疡性结肠炎、18例克罗恩病、23例其他结肠炎和20例健康体检者血清中MIF及超敏C反应蛋白(hsCRP)的含量.结果 溃疡性结肠炎、克罗恩病及其他结肠炎患者的血清MIF水平均明显高于对照组(10.599±1.895)μg/L、(8.560±1.663)μg/L、(8.498±2.242)μg/L vs(5.363±1.841)μg/L(均P＜0.01),而且溃疡性结肠炎组高于克罗恩病及其他结肠炎组(均P＜0.05),但是克罗恩病患者与其他结肠炎患者比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).溃疡性结肠炎MIF水平重度组高于轻度组,(12.204±2.340)μg/L vs(9.060±1.444)μg/L(P＜0.05).溃疡性结肠炎hsCRP水平重度组高于轻度组(9.002±1.538)μg/L vs(3.556±1.283)μg/L(P＜0.05).结论 MIF参与了溃疡性结肠炎的发病,可能是溃疡性结肠炎活动的指标,可作为临床判断疾病严重程度及疗效的指标.     

Extracorporeal photochemotherapy for the treatment of refractory Crohn's disease.

Crohn's disease is an idiopathic, relapsing inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract. We prospectively evaluated the use of extracorporeal photochemotherapy (ECP; photopheresis), an immunomodulatory therapy, to treat moderate or severe Crohn's disease (Crohn's Disease Activity Index [CDAI] score > or = 220 points) in 2 patients who failed multiple treatments, including immunosuppressants and anti-tumor necrosis factor agents. After at least 24 weeks of ECP with stable concomitant therapy, the patient with moderate disease achieved a clinical response (a decrease in CDAI score from baseline of > or = 100 points and an endpoint CDAI score of < or = 150 points), whereas the other patient with severe disease demonstrated limited improvement. ECP was well tolerated in both patients. These observations suggest that adjunctive ECP can be of benefit among patients with active, refractory Crohn's disease of moderate intensity. Further investigation is needed to define the role of ECP in treating Crohn's disease.     

CT影像学检查对克罗恩病患者病情活动度的诊断价值

目的探讨CT影像学检查对克罗恩病(CD)患者病情活动度的诊断价值。方法收集2015年12月至2019年9月在上海市普陀区人民医院进行CT小肠成像检查的36例CD患者病例资料,根据克罗恩病活动指数(CDAI)将患者分为活动期组(CDAI≥150分,n=18)和缓解期组(CDAI<150分,n=18),将同期在医院进行体检的健康志愿者作为健康对照组(n=20)。检测并比较3组对象红细胞沉降率(ESR)、C反应蛋白(CRP)及血红蛋白(HGB)。1周后进行CT小肠成像检查,分析患者血液学指标和CT影像学特征与CDAI相关性。结果活动期组和缓解期组患者ESR和CDAI大于健康对照组,活动期组大于缓解期组(P<0.05);活动期组和缓解期组患者CRP水平高于健康对照组,活动期组高于缓解期组(P<0.05);活动期组和缓解期组患者HGB水平低于健康对照组,活动期组低于缓解期组(P<0.05);患者HGB与ESR、CRP及CDAI呈负相关(P<0.05);患者ESR与CRP及CDAI呈正相关(P<0.05);患者CRP与CDAI呈正相关(P<0.05);活动期组患者肠壁厚度、累及肠段数、病变肠壁动脉期相对强化值及病变肠壁门静脉期相对强化值大于缓解期组(P<0.05);活动期组患者分层强化、肠腔狭窄或梗阻、齿梳征、蜂窝组织炎、肠系膜密度增高、腹腔淋巴结肿大比例大于缓解期组(P<0.05);患者肠壁厚度、累及肠段数、病变肠壁动脉期相对强化值、病变肠壁门静脉期相对强化值、肠壁强化方式、肠管形态、齿梳征、肠系膜血管增生、蜂窝组织炎、腹腔脓肿与CDAI呈正相关(P<0.05)。结论CD患者呈CRP、ESR水平上升,HGB水平降低状态,与其病情活动度明显相关;且活动期和缓解期CD患者具有不同的CT影像学特征,与血液学指标变化一致。CT影像学检查对鉴别患者病情活动度具有临床应用价值。     

Evaluation of the Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI) and the Dutch Index for severity and activity of Crohn's disease. An analysis of the data from the European Cooperative Crohn's Disease Study

In the European Cooperative Crohn's Disease Study a general documentation of clinical and laboratory data was made at the entry into the study in 452 patients. These patients were in different states of their disease from quiescent to very active. In all patients the Crohn's Disease Activity Index of Best (CDAI) and the Dutch Index of van Hees was calculated. Three gastroenterologists did a global clinical rating and a separate laboratory rating without knowledge of the indices. The ratings were then correlated with the indices in the individual patients. The clinical rating correlated well with the CDAI (r = 0.88) and less with the Dutch Index (r = 0.672). On the other hand the laboratory rating showed a better correlation with the Dutch Index (r = 0.742) than with the CDAI (r = 0.573). This demonstrates that the CDAI preferably is an estimate of the clinical severity of the disease and not of the activity of inflammation. Vice versa the Dutch Index is mainly reflecting the activity of the inflammatory process.     

Urinary neopterin, a marker of clinical activity in patients with Crohn's disease

Urinary neopterin excretion was measured in 34 patients with Crohn's disease. Neopterin excretion showed a significant correlation with disease activity using a clinical activity score. An interacting effect of previous medical or surgical therapy on neopterin excretion could be ruled out. Disease localization and extent did not exert any influence on neopterin excretion. Neopterin values were significantly correlated with disease duration, body weight and the presence of a palpable abdominal mass. Multiple stepwise regression analyses identified the combination of neopterin, hematocrit, weekly stool frequency, palpable abdominal mass and related symptoms as predicting clinical activity better than Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI). Thus, neopterin determination may be introduced as an additional biochemical parameter in the assessment of disease activity.     

Faecal calprotectin in the assessment of Crohn's disease activity

BACKGROUND: Clinical and laboratory assessment of activity in Crohn's disease (CD) correlate poorly with endoscopic findings. Calprotectin is a calcium-binding protein abundant in neutrophil cytosol, and extremely stable in faeces. Faecal calprotectin (FC) is an excellent surrogate marker of neutrophil influx into the bowel lumen. AIM: To assess whether FC concentration from a spot stool sample reliably detects active inflammation in patients with CD. DESIGN: Cross-sectional comparative study. METHODS: Subjects had a previously confirmed diagnosis of CD and were suspected on clinical grounds to be in the midst of a relapse. Thirty-five entered the study; they underwent radiolabelled white cell scanning (WCS) and had a stool sample collected for calprotectin measurement on the same day. A Crohn's disease activity index (CDAI) was also calculated for each. The WCS scans were scored at six standard sites to give a mean total, 'extent', 'severity' and 'combined extent and severity' scores. RESULTS: FC was significantly and positively correlated with mean total (r = 0.73, p < 0.001), 'extent' (r = 0.71, p < 0.001), 'severity' (r = 0.64, p < 0.001) and combined 'extent and severity' WCS scores (r = 0.71, p < 0.001). A cut-off of faecal calprotectin > 100 microg/g gave a sensitivity of 80%, specificity of 67%, positive predictive value of 87% and a negative predictive value of 64% in identifying those with and without any inflammation on WCS. There was, however, no significant correlation between CDAI and mean total WCS score (r = 0.21, p = 0.24), nor between CDAI and FC (r = 0.33, p = 0.06). DISCUSSION: While the CDAI does not accurately reflect inflammatory activity in CD, a one-off FC reliably detects the presence or absence of intestinal inflammation in adult patients with CD, compared to WCS.     

Adsorptive Monocyte-granulocytapheresis (M-GCAP) for refractory Crohn's disease

Six patients with active Crohn's disease (CD) unresponsive to conventional medications (CM) were treated with Monocyte-granulocytapheresis (M-GCAP). CD patients who scored 200-400 points in Crohn's disease activity index (CDAI) in spite of receiving CM, including enteral nutrition, for at least 2 weeks were enrolled in our double series trial. Each series had 5 weekly M-GCAP and 2 follow-up weeks, and each M-GCAP treated 1,800 ml of patient's peripheral blood. After the 1st series, patients who decreased more than 50 points on the CDAI were deemed responders and enrolled in the second series. Patients with a CDAI score less than 150 points were considered in remission. The patients' quality of life was evaluated using an index (IBDQ) before and after the 1st series. The CDAI was significantly decreased comparing before and after the 1st series (258.2 +/- 36.2 vs. 166.5 +/- 16.6; P < 0.02). 50% of patients (3/6) responded to the therapy, and one case (16.7%) could be induced to remission. Significant removal was revealed only for white blood cells (25.6 +/- 16.9%; P < 0.05), especially granulocytes (29.5 +/- 22.5%; P < 0.05). A statistically significant improvement of IBDQ was revealed in the responders' group (162.3 +/- 17.2 vs. 189.3 +/- 11.5; P < 0.03). M-GCAP could be an effective adjunctive therapy for active CD patients unresponsive to CM allowing them to maintain a high QOL. However, it might be difficult to improve patients who could not be induced to remission after the 1st series by applying another series.     

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels and their clinical significance in Crohn's disease

25 patients with Crohn's disease were followed up with serial serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) determinations during hospitalization and at a control investigation eight weeks following discharge. The CEA level was compared with extent, duration and clinical activity of disease, as well as with Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI) and several acute phase reactants. The distribution of positive CEA levels (greater than 5 ng/ml) was similar in phases of acute inflamation and in remission. CEA levels did not show any significant correlation with CDAI, acute phase reactants, extent of involvement, duration of disease or histological findings. In this study CEA levels did not prove to be helpful indicators of disease activity or of cancer risk in Crohn's disease.     

Qualitative study of fecal alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor in normal subjects and patients with Crohn's disease

We applied sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and immunoblotting to analyze fecal alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor (alpha 1 PI) from healthy subjects and patients with Crohn's disease. A component with Mr 38,000 was characterized in normal fecal extracts as well as in six pathological samples. In these cases, the Crohn's disease activity index (CDAI), a clinical index of severity of the disease, was 170 (SEM 47). In contrast, alpha 1 PI of Mr 51,000 was detected in fecal extracts from eight patients with active Crohn's disease (CDAI = 287, SEM 39). We conclude that fecal alpha 1 PI can be considered a marker of intestinal disease activity.     

CEUS评估克罗恩病的活动性

目的 探讨CEUS在克罗恩病(CD)活动性评估中的应用价值。方法 对经临床确诊为CD的54例患者分别行二维超声、彩色多普勒超声及CEUS检查,观察肠壁厚度、病变处血供情况及病变肠壁血流灌注模式。CD活动性评价参考指标为CD疾病活动指数(CDAI)。结果 CEUS评估CD活动性的敏感度、特异度、准确率分别为95.56%(43/45)、66.67%(6/9)、90.74%(49/54)。CEUS评估CD活动性与CDAI相关性较高(r=0.71,P<0.05),高于二维超声及彩色多普勒超声(r=0.60、0.52,P均<0.05)。结论 CEUS可反映CD的肠壁血流灌注模式,能提示肠壁炎症活动状态,可作为评估CD活动性的一种手段。     

Efficacy and safety of oral beclomethasone dipropionate for ileal or ileal-right colon Crohn's disease of mild-to-moderate activity or in remission: Retrospective study.

Although conventional glucocorticosteroids are the main treatments for active Crohn's disease, several problems are associated with steroid dependence and steroid-related adverse events. To assess the efficacy and safety of oral beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) coated tablets in adults with mild-to-moderate Crohn's disease. Thirty-four patients (age 18-70years) with a diagnosis of Crohn's disease confirmed by conventional criteria (barium enema, clinical criteria, colonoscopy, histology) were retrospectively evaluated in the study. All subjects received a treatment schedule with BDP 5-10mg/day for 24weeks. BDP significantly (p=0.005) reduced mean Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI) score from 169.6 at baseline to 123.2 after 24weeks. Clinical success was evident at 24weeks in 66.7% of patients with initial active disease, and remission was maintained at week 24 in 93.8% of patients with remission at baseline. Overall, female non-smokers had the best response to treatment. BDP was well tolerated and the only adverse events observed were nausea (n=1), facial erythema (n=1) and one patient with raised fasting blood glucose level. These results clearly suggest that oral BDP coated tablets are effective and safe for treatment of mild-to-moderate Crohn's disease of ileal or ileal-right colonic localisation.