Nutrition is an important factor in the treatment of the patient with Crohn's disease, as malnutrition is prevalent.

"Nutrition plays an important role in the pathogenesis, treatment, and morbidity of Crohn's disease. Approximately 66%-75% of hospitalized patients with active disease and 25% of outpatients with Crohn's disease are malnourished. Malnutrition, which can be present even when Crohn's disease is in remission, can affect growth, cellular and humoral immunity, bone density, and wound healing," investigators in the United States report.

"Decreased nutrient intake, malabsorption, drug-nutrient interactions, anorexia, and protein-losing enteropathy can all contribute to the protein-calorie malnutrition and other specific nutrient deficiencies seen in Crohn's disease," wrote K.L. Krok and colleagues.

The researchers concluded: "Therefore, by preventing and correcting nutrient deficiencies, nutritional therapy is an important component in the overall management of patients with Crohn's disease."

Krok and colleagues published their study in Current Opinion in Gastroenterology (Nutrition in Crohn's disease. Curr Opin Gastroenterol, 2003;19(2):148-153).