Trends in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Therapy

Trends in inflammatory bowel disease therapy FALK SYMPOSIUM NO. 56, 'TRF.NDS IN INFLAMMATORY bowel Jisease therapy', comprised eight sessions over three days and attracteJ more than 400 participants. The first session, 'Pathogenesis: Clues for future therapy', involved seven speakers as well as an overview summary. Considerable new information was presemeJ m a very lucid and well organizeJ manner; in particular, each speaker referred to a prior or forthcoming presentation, so that the whole panel left an impression of cohesion. The pathngenes1~ session included aspects of immunogeneucs, antigen presentation, gut microflora, immune-meJiated cytotoxicity, the role of ma3t cells, mflammacory mediators, and intestinal oxidative damage. The second session concerned the d iagnosis of inflammatory howel disease and involved six speakers who covered diagnostic imaging, endoscopic and pathological diagnosis, nuclear medicine scans, differential d iagnosis with audience participation, and an assessment of new technology for assessmg the outcome of severe ulcerauve colitis. The th ird session addressed 'Lifestyle issues: What do l tell my patients?' and involved presentations on generic counselling, smoking, diet, oral contracepuves, sex, pregnancy, breast feeding, counselling for the pediatric patient and a planned long term approach to patient management. TI,e fourth session, on carcinogenesis, included contnhutions from six speakers and the usual overview. Topics included experimental animal studies, dysplasia, the role of oncogenes and the use of flow cytometry. There was a special presenranon on surveillance programs in ulceranve colitis with a proponent of this and a counter presentation, "ls surveillance worthwh1ld" which provoked vigorous, healthy discussion. A short session on nutritional and pcdimric therapy comprised two speakers, with a talk on the state-of-the-arc of nutntional therapy in Crohn's disease, and pediatric therapy of inflammatory howel disease. The sixth sessmn, 'Trends 10 medical therapy', was well covered by six speakers. Topics mcluded the newer oral preparaunns, hudesonidc and flut1casonc, in ulcerative coli us, follnweJ by a J1scuss1tm of coated omega-3 fatty acids as adJuncuve therapy 10 ulcerauve col1t1s. The role of cyclnsporinc in steroid-resistant Crohn's disease and the use of colonoscopy to opt1m1:e steroid treatment dos mg and duration 10 Crohn's disease was also discussed. The seventh session concerned surgical therapy, with four presentations covering pouch surgery and the importance of the transitional zone, moulity and compliance, pouch1tis and the return of ileorectal anastomosis. The final session was devoted co the emerging role of new salicylates in inflammatory bowel disease therapy. There were presentations by l3 speakers, mostly of orig10al work. Forty-five manuscripts were received and accepted for this issue, including two from the poster session.