Clinical aspects of Crohn's disease / 中国实用内科杂志

ABSTRACT

Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic,relapsing and disabling inflammatory bowel disease.Although the cause is unknown,defects in innate and adaptive immune pathways have been identified and biological therapies that target key molecules have been designed and dramatically improved treatment of CD patients.The disease is currently increasing in China.The symptoms of CD are heterogeneous but commonly include abdominal pain,diarrhea and weight loss,which are largely dependent on the stages (early,active,remitted,and chronic active stages,respectively) of the disease.A single gold standard for the diagnosis of CD is not available.The diagnosis is confirmed by clinical evaluation and a combination of endoscopic,histological,radiological,and/or biochemical investigations.Behavior of the disease varies substantially during its course.About 13%～20% of patients with CD have a chronic active course of disease.67%～73% have a chronic intermittent course for several years.After 20 years most patients will need surgery.The life expectancy is slightly reduced.