[Bio-psychosocial interactions in follow-up of Crohn disease]

The bio-psycho-social model serves as a guideline to the presentation of the main results of a longitudinal study of Crohn's disease (Heidelberg research project on Crohn's disease). The interactions and interrelations of the biological, psychological and social dimension during a 3 years' course of the disease are presented; in addition, the psychological data based on different theoretical concepts are compared to and linked with each other (defense/coping; disease concepts/personality and coping). Conclusions are drawn in respect to the biopsychosocial research on Crohn's disease and, more generally, to bio-psycho-social research designs and research methodology.