title: Evidence-based treatment algorithm for mild to moderate Crohn's disease.
abstract: Therapies demonstrated to be effective in randomized, controlled trials for induction of remission in patients with mildly to moderately active Crohn's disease include sulfasalazine, budesonide, and oral corticosteroids administered for 8-16 wk. Patients who relapse within 6-12 months after discontinuation of induction therapy should be treated with another cycle of induction therapy and then receive maintenance therapy with an immunosuppressive agent (azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine, or methotrexate). Long term treatment with budesonide 6-9 mg q.d. might be an alternative to immunosuppressive maintenance therapy in patients who relapse within 6-12 months after discontinuation and in prednisone-dependent patients.
authors.affiliation: Inflammatory Bowel Disease Clinic, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic and Mayo Medical School, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA.
authors.forename: William J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Sandborn
mesh_terms: D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic