[Surveillance of patients with chronic inflammatory intestinal diseases: problems relevant to clinical practice]

For control of activity of inflammatory bowel diseases, clinical signs and acute-phase proteins are of higher value compared to endoscopy; however this method is necessary for supervision of patients with ulcerative colitis for detection of malignancies. In patients with longstanding and extensive ulcerative colitis, a consequent supervision permits to prevent cancer development markedly. New aminosalicylates are effective in preventing relapse in ulcerative colitis and perhaps in Crohn's disease. Deficiency in vitamins and minerals has to be recognized and balanced. Patients suffering from Crohn's disease should quit smoking because nicotine is worsening the course of the disease.