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New treatment idea for Crohn's disease.

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Posted 3/16/2008 5:50 PM (GMT 0)
I haven't been on the board much these days so you will have to forgive me if this is old news. There was an article in Toronto Globe & Mail that was reprinted from an article in the Wall Strret Journal describing a study done that "turns conventional wisdom about Crohn's dieases on it's head." The article was written by Melinda Beck. My mother-in-law sent the article and the date isn't on it. Sorry.

Basically the study suggests that more agressive treatment with Remicad and Imuran get better results that the more conventional steriod use. The new approach is called the "step down approach" as apposed to the more tradition "step up approach."

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080222.wlcrohns22/BNStory/specialScienceandHealth/home?cid=al_gam_mostemail


Mary T
Posted 3/16/2008 6:49 PM (GMT 0)
This has been an emerging approach with some GIS for some time now. The big champion of is is Dr. Hanauer at U of Chicago. However, there are many who disagree and it's probably going to take some years before they can track patients started with the top-down approach to see if they actually have fewer long term complications like blockages and fistulas than others. Best guess I would say is it depends on your case . . . a top-down approach may well be right for those with more serious disease with early complications. I'm always a bit wary of any "one size fits all" approach to a disease that manifests itself in so many different ways in people.

Posted 3/16/2008 7:53 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Mike,
You're absolutely right, it's easy to get caught up in the latest and greatest. Will be interesting to see the long term results of the new approach. I figured I was a bit out of date and that probably everybody already knew, but since it was new to me I thought I would post just in case there were others like me out there.
Posted 3/16/2008 11:14 PM (GMT 0)
I'm w/Mike since I am one w/mild Crohn's disease. HOWEVER, if I were struggling w/fistulas and abscesses I'd sure be ready to get aggressive FAST! Or if I were having LOTS of pain and partial obstructions and wasn't responding QUICKLY to steroids and able to taper off them pretty quick w/the aid of mesalamine and Imuran I'd be willing to get aggressive fast too.

I tend to be rather conservative when it comes to medications so would always want to try the less "controversial" or proven meds first, but if I didn't respond quickly and couldn't QUICKLY taper off steroids - well, quality of life is more important to me than quantity. I'd jump at the newer meds like Remicade, etc. in a heartbeat.

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