An Overview on Inflammatory Bowel Disease Treatment

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic relapsing, idiopathic disorder of the gastrointestinal tract of an unknown etiology. Ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) have become important health problems.  Current medical therapy of IBD has advanced dramatically with the introduction of new biologic therapies in addition to the optimization of conventional therapies that include drugs such as immunosuppressors and 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA), and a better identification of factors involved in the pathogenesis of IBD.

The aim of this review is to provide a brief historical perspective of the available evidence for the use of various medications in IBD followed by a recent literature update. The intent is to enhance the clinician's perspective regarding IBD treatment.