Abstract
Crohn's disease is a chronic transmural inflammatory disease that most commonly affects the intestinal wall, but may also occur in any part of the gastrointestinal tract with discontinuous pattern, with a tendency to form fistulae. The cause is unknown but may depend on interactions between genetic predisposition, environmental triggers, and mucosal immunity.
Its incidence is higher in industrialized countries, urban areas and upper socioeconomic classes. Over the recent years, there has been rather a sharp increase in the incidence of Crohn's disease.
The medical therapy of Crohn's disease has improved markedly in recent years. Biological therapy provides superior efficacy, led to an improved quality of life.
Two-thirds to three-quarters of Crohn's disease patients require intestinal surgery for medically refractory disease or complications.