Oral and upper gastrointestinal Crohn's disease

Robyn Laube, Ken Liu, Mark Schifter, Jessica L. Yang, Michael K. Suen, Rupert W. Leong*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

55 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Crohn's disease is a heterogeneous, inflammatory condition that can affect any location of the gastrointestinal tract. Proximal gastrointestinal involvement occurs in 0.5–16% of patients, and it is usually diagnosed after recognition of intestinal disease. Symptoms are often mild and nonspecific; however, upper gastrointestinal disease predicts a more severe Crohn's phenotype with a greater frequency of complications such as obstruction and perforation. Gastroscopy and biopsy is the most sensitive diagnostic investigation. There is a paucity of data examining the treatment of this condition. Management principles are similar to those for intestinal disease, commencing with topical therapy where appropriate, progressing to systemic therapy such as glucocorticoids, 5-aminosalicylic acid, immunomodulators, and biologics. Acid suppression therapy has symptomatic but no anti-inflammatory benefit for gastroduodenal and esophageal involvement. Surgical intervention with bypass, strictureplasty, or less frequently, endoscopic balloon dilation may be required for complications or failed medical therapy.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)355-364
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology (Australia)
Volume33
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Feb 2018
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Crohn's disease
  • esophageal diseases
  • oral pathology
  • stomach diseases
  • upper gastrointestinal tract

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