Crohn's Disease Health Article

Expected results

Crohn's disease is a lifelong illness. The severity of the disease can vary, and a patient can experience periods of time when the disease is not active and he or she is symptom free. However, the complications and risks of Crohn's disease tend to increase over time. Well over 60% of all patients with Crohn's disease will require surgery, and about half of these patients will require more than one operation over time. About 5–10% of all Crohn's patients will die of their disease, primarily due to massive infection.

Prevention

Crohn's disease is a chronic, lifelong disorder. However, a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in June 2000 reported that methotrexate (a chemotherapy drug) was found to prevent relapse episodes in a clinical trial of Crohn's patients. The study also found that human growth hormone was useful in reducing symptoms of the disease.

BOOKS

Glickman, Robert. "Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease." In Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. Anthony S. Fauci et al., eds. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1998.

Long, James W. The Essential Guide to Chronic Illness. New York: HarperPerennial, 1997.

Saibil, Fred. Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. Buffalo, NY: Firefly Books, 1997.

PERIODICALS

Peppercorn, Mark A., and Susannah K. Gordon. "Making Sense of a Mystery Ailment: Inflammatory Bowel disease."Harvard Health Letter 22, no. 2 (December 1996): 4+.

Sachar, David. "Maintenance Strategies in Crohn's Disease." Hospital Practice 31, no. 1 (January 15, 1996): 99+.

Karpa, Kelly Dowhower. "Crohn's disease patients find new relief from old drug."Drug Topics 145, no. 21 (November 5, 2001): 16;.

ORGANIZATIONS

Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America, Inc. 386 Park Avenue South, 17th Floor, New York, NY 10016-8804. (800) 932-2423.

Paula Ford-Martin

Teresa G. Odle