Abstract Title:

Controlled trial comparing an elemental diet with prednisolone in the treatment of active Crohn's disease.

Abstract Source:

Hepatogastroenterology. 1990 Feb;37(1):72-80. PMID: 2179093

Abstract Author(s):

M Okada, T Yao, T Yamamoto, K Takenaka, K Imamura, K Maeda, K Fujita

Article Affiliation:

1st Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Fukuoka University, Japan.

Abstract:

To determine whether an elemental diet or prednisolone would be more effective for treating acute Crohn's disease, a controlled trial was conducted on 20 patients with acute Crohn's disease who had never received specific treatment. The first ten patients were put on an elemental diet and the remaining ten were prescribed prednisolone for six weeks at an initial dose of 0.7 mg/kg/day. Patients were assessed using the simple activity index, body weight, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein and alpha 2 globulin, serum albumin, and radiographic findings of bowel lesions. At six weeks, the patients on the elemental diet showed a significantly greater improvement in the activity index, inflammatory signs such as C-reactive protein and alpha 2 globulin, and radiographic findings of bowel lesions than did those on the steroid. Patients who were given steroids for six weeks and then treated with the elemental diet for four weeks showed improvement in the radiographic findings of bowel lesions and inflammation. The present study strongly suggests that elemental diet is superior to steroids for treating active Crohn's disease.

Study Type : Human Study

Print Options


Key Research Topics

This website is for information purposes only. By providing the information contained herein we are not diagnosing, treating, curing, mitigating, or preventing any type of disease or medical condition. Before beginning any type of natural, integrative or conventional treatment regimen, it is advisable to seek the advice of a licensed healthcare professional.

© Copyright 2008-2024 GreenMedInfo.com, Journal Articles copyright of original owners, MeSH copyright NLM.