CROHN’S DISEASE: EPIDEMIOLOGY, PATHOPHYSIOLOGY, DIAGNOSIS, MANAGEMENT – A LITERATURE REVIEW

Introduction and purpose: Crohn’s Disease (CD) is a condition characterized by chronic granulomatous inflammation that penetrates all layers of the intestinal wall and can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract – from the oral cavity to the anus. This condition may be accopanied by extraintestinal manifestations. CD carries numerous complications that negatively impact patients’ well-being. The course of the disease is chronic with alternating periods of exacerbation and remission; nevertheless, symptoms are often persistant. This review summarizes the current knowledge, focusing on pathopisiology, epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment. By integrating current knowledge and new findings, it aims to enhance and optimize patient care. Description of the State of Knowledge: Crohn’s disease is a condition with an incompletely understoos etiopathogenesis, in which disturbances in the microbiota – modulated by environmental factors (including diet) – are considered a likely cause, with genetic mutations contributing to susceptibility. Clinical diagnosis of the disease can be challenging, and faecal calprotectin may be a useful tool not only for diagnosis but also for monitorig disease activity. The introduction of biological therapies, particularly anti-TNF antibodies, has demonstrated satisfactory therapeutic efficacy. Conclusions: The „treat-to-target” startegy in therapy provides optimal conditions as long as continuous monitoring and assessment of treatment outcomesare maintained. The lack of standardized treatment methods allows for a wide range of therapeutic approaches; nevertheless, complications leading to surgical intervations remain a major clinical challenge. Matherials and methods: A review of recent clinical studies and scientific articles was conducted, focusing primarily on pathophysiology, epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment, suplemeted with the latest findings.