Activity and Its Assessment in Crohn’s Disease

Abstract

Assessment of activity in Crohn’s disease is notoriously difficult (1). Yet, unless one can assess such activity the quality of patient care cannot be accurately judged and the efficacy of treatment cannot be determined. Moreover, an agreed method of assessment allows multicentre studies to be undertaken on a more uniform basis. As an initial step one must define Crohn’s disease and state what is meant by activity. Thereafter, the various methods of assessing such activity can be studied. Activity may be indirectly assessed, either singly or in combination, on the basis of symptoms, signs, haematological, biochemical, immunological and/or radiological investigations. However, activity can only be truly assessed by macroscopic appearances and/or histology. It is well to remember that static histology cannot always determine the presence or absence of activity.