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Review
. 2021 Nov 3;7(1):36-41.
doi: 10.1159/000519521. eCollection 2022 Jan.

Mucosal Healing in Crohn's Disease: Bull's Eye or Bust? "The Pro Position"

Neil O'Moráin  1 , Jayne Doherty  1 , Roisin Stack  1 , Glen A Doherty  1
Affiliations
Review

Mucosal Healing in Crohn's Disease: Bull's Eye or Bust? "The Pro Position"

Neil O'Moráin et al. Inflamm Intest Dis. .

Abstract

Background: Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract with disease behaviour based on the depth and severity of mucosal injury. Cumulative injury can result in complications including stricture formation and penetrating complications which often require surgical resection of diseased segments of the intestine resulting in significant morbidity. Accurate assessment of disease activity and appropriate treatment is essential in preventing complications.

Summary: Treatment targets in the management of CD have evolved with the advent of more potent immunosuppressive therapy. Targeting the resolution of sub-clinical inflammation and achieving mucosal healing is associated with the prevention of stricturing and penetrating complications. Identifying non-invasive modalities to assess mucosal healing remains a challenge.

Key messages: Mucosal healing minimizes the risk of developing disease complications, prolongs steroid-free survival, and reduces hospitalization and the need for surgical intervention.

Keywords: Clinical remission; Crohn's disease; Disease assessment; Mucosal healing; Treatment targets.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

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