Response to biologic therapy in Crohn's disease is improved with early treatment: an analysis of health claims data.

Background: Anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy is an important treatment option for management of active Crohn's disease (CD) and is labeled for use after failure of conventional therapy (step-up). However, there is debate on the introduction of anti-TNF agents earlier in the treatment strategy (top-down) to potentially improve clinical outcomes. The aim of this study was to determine if a top-down approach with anti-TNF therapy is associated with improved outcomes for patients with active CD.

Disease perceptions among people with Crohn's disease.

Background: The relationship between Crohn's disease (CD) patients' perceptions of overall disease course to severity measures based on current symptomatology has not been fully explored. We sought to characterize CD patient perceptions of both overall disease course and current symptomatology based on an objective symptom scale and to explore the relationship between perceptions and current symptoms.

Methods: Patients were screened by telephone and those who met inclusion criteria were invited to complete a full, self-administered online survey.