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. 2011 Jun;7(6):374-80.

Targeting mucosal healing in Crohn's disease

Aarti Kakkar  1 , Sharmeel K Wasan, Francis A Farraye
Affiliations

Targeting mucosal healing in Crohn's disease

Aarti Kakkar et al. Gastroenterol Hepatol (N Y). 2011 Jun.

Abstract

The goal of medical treatment for Crohn's disease includes improving patients' quality of life while reducing the need for hospitalization and surgery. The current medical armamentarium includes 5-aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, immunomodulators, and biologic agents. In the past, response to treatment was measured by clinical improvement in symptoms; however, with the advent of disease-modifying medications, mucosal healing has emerged as an increasingly important goal of therapy. Mucosal healing, or endoscopic remission, is associated with increased rates of clinical remission, fewer hospitalizations, and fewer abdominal surgeries. Both the immunomodulator and biologic classes of medications are effective at inducing mucosal healing. Despite several limitations, mucosal healing has become a desirable and valid measure of disease activity.

Keywords: Crohn's disease; biologic agents; deep remission; endoscopic remission; immunomodulators; mucosal healing.

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