title: The role of enteral nutrition in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: current aspects.
abstract: Enteral nutrition (EN) is considered to be of great importance in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and nutritional problems. This comprehensive review is aiming to provide the reader with an update on the role of EN in IBD patients. EN can reduce Crohn's disease (CD) activity and maintain remission in both adults and children. Nutritional support using liquid formulas should be considered for CD patients and in serious cases of ulcerative colitis (UC), especially for those who may require prolonged cycles of corticosteroids. Given that the ultimate goal in the treatment of CD is mucosal healing, this advantage of EN over corticosteroid treatment is valuable in therapeutic decision-making. EN is indicated in active CD, in cases of steroid intolerance, in patient's refusal of steroids, in combination with steroids in undernourished individuals, and in patients with an inflammatory stenosis of the small intestine. No differences between the efficiency of elemental diets and nonelemental formulas have been noticed. EN must be the first choice compared to TPN. EN has a restricted value in the treatment of patients with large bowel CD. In conclusion, it seems important not to underestimate the role of nutrition as supportive care in patients with IBD.
authors: Inflammatory Bowel Disease Unit, IASO General Hospital, 264 Mesogeion Avenue, Holargos, 15562 Athens, Greece.
authors: John K
authors: JK
authors: Triantafillidis
authors: 1st Surgical Unit, Saint Panteleimon Hospital, D. Mantouvalou 3, 18454 Nicea, Greece.
authors: Costas
authors: C
authors: Vagianos
authors: Experimental-Research Center, ELPEN Pharmaceuticals, 95 Marathonos Avenue, Pikermi, 19009 Athens, Greece.
authors: Apostolos E
authors: AE
authors: Papalois
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D006801:Humans; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009752:Nutritional Status / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones