[Nutrition and Crohn disease--an etiologic factor?]

Epidemiological data indicate that exogenous noxes are important in the etiology of nonspecific inflammatory bowel disease. In several studies the influence of nutritional factors in the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease was investigated. The conflicting results, the inappropriate methods of investigation, the limited number of patients, and differences between patients and controls in many of these studies require a careful interpretation. Evidence for an etiological significance of nutrition in the development of Crohn's disease is still missing. Therefore, a specific diet for these patients does not exist. The physician should recommend a balanced diet which considers the needs in energy supply, corrects preexisting deficiencies, and is adapted to subjective intolerances and to disease related complications such as malabsorption or partial intestinal obstruction.