Crohn’s disease is a disease that causes inflammation in the digestive tract. The disease can occur anywhere between the mouth and the anus, but usually affects the lower section of the small intestine. Patients may experience diarrhea, stomach cramps, fever, weight loss, and occasionally, rectal bleeding. In some patients, the disease can occur in other parts of the body, like the joints, eyes, skin and liver.

The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America estimates about 500,000 Americans have Crohn’s disease. The condition is most commonly diagnosed between 15 and 35. However, it can also occur in older adults and children. About 20 percent of those with Crohn’s disease have at least one blood relative with the condition.

Over time, Crohn’s disease can lead to a number of complications. Some patients, especially children, develop nutrition deficiencies. Inflammation, swelling and development of scar tissue can block the intestine. Patients may develop ulcers that eat through the intestinal wall and create tunnels, called fistulas, to other organs or tissues.

Treating Crohn’s Disease

There is no cure for Crohn’s disease. The goals of treatment are to control inflammation, relieve symptoms and correct nutritional deficiencies. Most patients are given anti-inflammatory medications to control intestinal inflammation. Immune suppressing medications suppress the body’s inappropriate response in the digestive tract (the underlying cause of the inflammation). Antibiotics may also be needed to control overgrowth of some types of bacteria.

When standard treatments don’t provide relief from symptoms, or when complications occur (such as fistulas or intestinal blockages), surgery may be recommended. The diseased section of the intestine is removed and the ends are reconnected. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease estimates up to 75 percent of Crohn’s patients will need surgery at some point. The treatment is not a cure because the disease can flare in other parts of the digestive tract. However, in some patients, surgery can lead to a temporary remission of symptoms.

A Prebiotic for Crohn’s

The cause of Crohn’s disease isn’t known. Some experts believe the condition occurs when the immune system mistakenly identifies certain foods or bacteria in the digestive tract as an invader. The immune system launches an attack, causing the destruction of some of the “good” bacteria in the intestines. These bacteria normally protect the intestines from “bad” bacteria and aid in the breakdown of foods.

Some researchers believe Crohn’s disease symptoms may be controlled by restoring the balance of “good” bacteria in the digestive tract. One way to do that is by using prebiotics, non-digestible carbohydrates that stimulate the growth and activity of the good bacteria.

In one small study, investigators gave prebiotics to 10 patients with active Crohn’s disease. Participants experienced a significant reduction in symptoms and an increase in the concentration of good intestinal bacteria.

Now researchers at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago want to verify those results in a placebo-controlled study using a larger group of patients. All the participants will follow dietary recommendations. In addition, some will get the prebiotic supplement, fructooligosaccharide, and some will get a placebo. Patients are asked to keep a food diary, record of symptoms and submit to colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy at the beginning and end of the study. The researchers hope to show that dietary therapy and/or a prebiotic may be helpful in preventing symptoms of Crohn’s disease, can restore levels of healthy bacteria and decrease intestinal damage.

The study is still recruiting participants. Patients who are accepted into the study must be willing to travel to Chicago. For information, go to http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Then type the trial ID number in the search box: NCT00343642. The study is still recruiting participants. Patients who are accepted into the study must be willing to travel to Chicago. For information, go to http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Then type the trial ID number in the search box: NCT00343642.

For information on Crohn’s Disease:

Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases