Review article: chronic active disease and maintaining remission in Crohn's disease

Abstract

The clinical management of Crohn's disease can be considered in relation to the treatment of acute disease and the maintenance of remission. The medication used to achieve these two goals may or may not be the same. Some patients with mildly active disease may respond to high-dose (4 g/day) mesalazine (mesalamine), and 5-aminosalicylic acid may also be helpful in weaning a patient off steroids after treatment for a flare-up. However, the value of 5-aminosalicylic acid in maintaining remission in Crohn's disease remains controversial. Subgroups of patients may be helped: for example, patients with Crohn's disease who have experienced a relapse within the last 2 years may benefit. Steroids for..