Inflammatory bowel diseases: an update of current treatment alternatives.

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are characterized for having an unpredictable clinical course with periods of inactivity alternating with relapses, a very variable response to treatment and the constant threat of diverse complications. Management of IBD in children may be of particular complexity, added to the fact that published clinical trials are limited, and scientific evidence seems contradictory, explain in part why to current date there is no international consensus regarding treatment in this age group. A suitable therapy should aim at inducing and maintaining remission for as long as possible, encourage adequate growth and preventing potential complications from appearing. In more recent years, development of new therapeutic agents has allowed a more integrative approach which takes in consideration other aspects of the disease such as nutritional status, psychological welfare and general quality of life. One must also keep in mind that none of these therapeutic resources is exempt of side effects on short and long term basis, consequently, it is imperative to be thoughtful of individual features in order to make accurate clinical decisions and offer a tailored management plan which should be able to modify the disease evolution.