Evidence-based medications for the treatment of the inflammatory bowel diseases.
OBJECTIVE
Evidence-based medicine is an increasingly important tool to aid the clinician in the treatment of patients. This is particularly true for diseases such as the inflammatory bowel diseases, for which the pathogenesis is unknown and an extensive range of treatment options is available. High quality data may not be available for all decisions, but it is essential that clinicians are aware of well-grounded data that are available.


RESULTS
The body of data supporting the use of biological therapies in inflammatory bowel disease continues to grow and diversify. Regulatory requirements and academic expectations are evolutionary forces that are resulting in continuous improvement in the quality of studies.


CONCLUSIONS
This review will update the reader on several significant analyses that have been published recently. It is intended to raise awareness of the data, helping clinicians to evaluate new treatments and to revisit older treatments with a critical eye.
De La Rue
Sarah A
SA
Digestive Health Center of Excellence, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.
Bickston
Stephen J
SJ
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents