Inflammatory Bowel disease Update

IBD is a lifelong disease with periods of active disease alternating with periods of remission. IBD is thought to result from the interaction between genetic and environmental factors that influence the normal intestinal commensal flora to trigger an inappropriate mucosal immune response. Colonoscopy remains the gold stander for diagnosis of IBD tougher with clinical manifestation and negative stool examinations for infectious agent. Wireless capsule endoscope and balloon enteroscopy show many advances in diagnosis of IBD. CT and MRI help to detect extent of disease and assess complications. Serological and fecal markers alone can not establish diagnosis of IBD but they have only a prognostic value. 5-ASA agents are the mainstay in the treatment of both CD and UC. Steroids continue to be the first choice to treat active disease not responding to other conservative therapy. 6-mercaptopurine and azathioprine are steroid-sparing immunomodulators effective in the maintenance of remission of both CD and UC while methotrexate may be .