Nutritional Supports in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

ABSTRACT

Underweight and specific nutrient deficiencies are frequent in adult patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In addition, a significant number of children with IBD, particularly Crohn's disease (CD) have impaired linear growth. Nutritional support is important in patients with IBD and nutritional problems. Enteral nutrition (EN) can reduce CD activity and maintain remission in both adults and children. Given that the ultimate goal in the treatment of CD is mucosal healing, this advantage of EN over corticosteroid treatment is valuable in therapeutic decision-making. EN is indicated in active CD, in cases of steroid intolerance, in patient's refusal of steroids, in combination with steroids in undernourished individuals, and in patients with inflammatory stenosis of the small intestine. EN should be the first choice compared to total parenteral nutrition. However, EN does not have a primary therapeutic role in ulcerative colitis. In conclusion, it appears that the role of nutrition as supportive care in patients with IBD should not be underestimated. The aim of this comprehensive review is to provide the reader with an update on the role of nutritional support in IBD patients.