[5-aminosalicylic acid in the treatment of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease].
BACKGROUND
Ulcerative colitis and Cohn's disease are characterised by exacerbations and remissions. Their aetiology is not known and treatment modalities are therefore focused on the inflammation.


METHODS
A review is given of the literature on the clinical efficacy and safety of treatment with 5-aminosalicylates.


RESULTS
Aminosalicylic acid has a well-documented efficacy in the acute treatment of mild and moderate ulcerative colitis as well as in maintaining remission in these patients. Its value for patients with Cohn's disease is at the best modest. There are several possible explanations: the variability of disease location, drug disposition and topical availability of the active drug. The usefulness of aminosalicylates has been demonstrated in the long-term treatment of ulcerative colitis for the prevention of colorectal cancer. 5-aminosalicylates have side effects that are comparable with placebo.


CONCLUSIONS
The benefit of 5-aminosalicylic acid is well documented in the treatment of active ulcerative colitis and for maintaining remission. The opposite is seen in relation to Cohn's disease.
Moum
Bjørn
B
Medisinsk avdeling, Sykehuset Østfold Fredrikstad, 1601 Fredrikstad. bamoum@online.no
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D019804:Mesalamine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012008:Recurrence
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D019804:Mesalamine