Impact of different therapeutic regimens on the outcome of patients with Crohn's disease of the upper gastrointestinal tract.

BACKGROUND

To follow-up clinical and biochemical features in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) of the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract and to evaluate the impact of different therapeutics on the outcome of these patients.

METHODS

32 CD patients with endoscopically and histologically proven CD of the upper GI tract were included into this retrospective study. Gastroduodenal and intestinal permeability tests, inflammatory parameters, Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI), and upper gastrointestinal complaint profile were sequentially assessed. These parameters were assessed at the beginning and followed up during therapies with antisecretory drugs, mesalamine, prednisolone, and azathioprine.

RESULTS

Symptoms responded to antisecretory drugs. Gastroduodenal permeability increased under mesalamine. Gastroduodenal and intestinal permeability as well as CDAI decreased under prednisolone. Under azathioprine, gastroduodenal and intestinal permeability, CDAI, and C-reactive protein decreased.