[Therapy of Inflammatory Bowel Disease]

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (i. e. Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis) show a rising incidence throughout Switzerland. An early and individualized therapy usually enables the effective treatment of both diseases and prevents structural gastrointestinal damage or surgical interventions. The goal of medical therapy is not only the relief of symptoms but rather the control of the disease's activity leading to mucosal healing and "deep" remission. Patients with unfavorable predictive parameters should receive a prompt intensification of medical therapy (as "early step-up" or even "top-down") with established immunosuppressive agents. Several updated practice guidelines respond to the most important medical questions, however, distinct clinical experience as well as a special dedication to these challenging patients are still a prerequisite for the effective and sustained therapy of inflammatory bowel disease.