Abstract
Inflammatory bowel diseases are a category consisting of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. They are characteri-zed by chronic intestinal inflammation.
Their causes have not been clearly understood; they are believed to be influenced by genetic susceptibility, changes to the commensal enteric flora and immune imbalance. Therapeutic goals for inflammatory bowel diseases have advanced beyond symptom control, induction of clinical remission, maintenance of clinical remission and prevention of complications.
Anti-tumour necrosis factor alpha agents are needed in cases where the disease is refractory or intolerant to other therapeutic agents. Infliximab and adalimumab are the most commonly used agents for treatment Crohn ' s disease and ulcerative colitis.