Abstract
According to the concept of "mucosal healing" treatment decisions in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) should be guided by non-clinical parameters, mainly healing of the gut mucosa rather than just clinical parameters. Proponents of mucosal healing-concept claim this would provide an objective outcome parameter and change the course of IBD with less complications and operations. This review will discuss the definition of "mucosal healing", the expectations, the current scientific knowledge and its influence on current clinical decisions. Several papers show a statistical correlation between mucosal healing and a more benign clinical course in patients with IBD. Few are able to show a causal relation. No data currently exist showing that an intensified treatment guided by mucosal healing benefits the patient. Clinical decisions today should not rely on endoscopy alone. Yet mucosal inflammation will already influence decision making.
| Translated title of the contribution | Is "mucosal healing" a treatment goal in IBD? |
|---|---|
| Original language | German |
| Pages (from-to) | 230-235 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Verdauungskrankheiten |
| Volume | 28 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2010 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Gastroenterology