[Drug treatment of chronic inflammatory intestinal diseases with special reference to 5-azosalicylic acid]

Chronic inflammatory bowel diseases are probably due to stimulation of the intestinal immune system by multiple, so far unknown antigens. Chronic inflammatory bowel diseases can be contained but not healed by corticosteroids, sulfasalazine (SASP), azathioprin and metronidazol. Healing may be expected by direct pharmacological intervention in the intestinal immune system, but these are not yet available. -5-aminosalicylic acid may replace SASP in the treatment of ulcerative colitis. When administered locally 5-ASA may be effective in cases of corticosteroid-resistant distal colitis. Controlled studies are needed before the perspectives for 5-ASA in the treatment of Crohn's disease can be assessed.