Inflammatory Bowel Disease
The most common inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Medicines used to treat IBD include sulphasalazine, mesalazine, balsalazide, and olsalazine.
Steroid tablets, such as prednisolone, may be required if the inflammation is severe or extensive. Occasionally anti-diarrhoeal medicines may be helpful.
Mesalazine has been found effective in maintenance therapy in ulcerative colitis for those in remission, as it reduces the number of flares.
Perianal Crohn’s disease (PCD) is a complication of Crohn’s disease that can significantly impair patients’ quality of life. Anti-tumour necrosis factor-alpha (anti-TNFα) treatment provides a significant advance in management of PCD-associated fistulae.
A recent study (April 2010) supports the idea that large scale DNA databanks linked to electronic medical record (EMR) systems provide a valuable platform for discovering, assessing and validating associations between genes and diseases. This study focused on five diseases, one of them being Crohn’s. The process confirmed the possibility of detecting the known genotype-phenotype associations for the five diseases, paving the way for discovery and replication of other genotype-phenotype associations. Crohn’s and Colitis Australia (CCA) is supporting research into the cause and prevention of postoperative recurrent disease.
CCA also has a Health Professionals Kit containing posters and brochures promoting their nationwide support groups for people living with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, A4 information sheets providing an overview of Crohn’s disease and of ulcerative colitis (complete with diagrams and general advice) for newly diagnosed patients, a magnet advertising their IBD Helpline, and fold-out brochures containing general information about inflammatory bowel disease and the services offered by Crohn’s and Colitis Australia, as well as their membership application form. An order form is also included when materials need to be replaced.
Crohn’s and Colitis Australia: www.crohnsandcolitis.com.au, phone 1800 138 029
Gastroenterological Society of Australia: www.gesa.org.au, phone 1300 766 176
The Gut Foundation Research Institute: www.gut.nsw.edu.au/, phone (02) 9382 2749
American Gastroenterological Association: www.gastro.org