Analysis of disease distribution, activity and complications in the patient with inflammatory bowel disease.

Management strategies in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis should be based on up-to-date information on disease distribution, extent, activity and complications. A system of structured analysis is suggested, with separate consideration of destructive ulceration, inflammatory activity and other factors. Direct investigation of gut immunity by using whole gut lavage fluid (WGLF) is a valuable new technique of clinical investigation in IBD and related disorders.