[Current orientation on medical therapy of Crohn disease]

The Crohn's disease has an increasing incidence and prevalence in the western countries and also in Italy; genetic, familiar and enviromental factors, but, above all, altered immunity have pathogenetic effects for the chronic flogosis and damage of gastroenteric tract. With ulcerative rettocolitis, the Crohn's disease is part of the chronic inflammatory bowel disease. In the present paper the medical therapy of Crohn's disease is especially studied; it is based on the use of corticosteroids and SASP or its active metabolite 5-ASA. Other pharmacs are reviewed as: immunosuppressors, antibiotics, antimetabolites and symptomatic or substitutive therapy. At the end the authors pointed out therapeutic lines in relation to acute or chronic stage and gravity of the disease.