Review article: the management of severe Crohn's disease

The treatment of severe and active Crohn's disease is currently based on immunosuppression, but also involves the management of nutrition, appropriate selection of patients for surgery, and maintenance of remission in the long term. Corticosteroids remain the drug of the first choice, particularly in the acute setting. However, there is evolving understanding of the role of other immunosuppressants and immune modifiers, as major concerns regarding side-effects and efficacy of steroids in the medium to long-term drive the search for alternatives.