Crohn's disease tends to run in families. Studies have shown that 15percent to 20 percent of patients may have a close relative with Crohn's or ulcerative colitis. There are about 200,000 people with Crohn's disease in the US, and approximately an equal number in Europe. Incidence varies significantly by region, with about 5,000 to 10,000 new cases per year in the United States. The disease is most common in North America, Europe and Scandinavia, and the incidence is greater in urban and northern environments.
Medical therapy is the primary approach to treatment.
Since surgery is generally not curative, surgery is reserved for use only when medical therapy is inadequate. Medical therapies have remained relatively unchanged for decades, with only recent introductions of novel delivery formulations and analogs of older drugs. Mainstay drugs are corticosteroids, aminoosalicylates and immunomodulatory drugs. Steroids have significant side effects, including mood changes, exacerbation of hypertension and diabetes, increased appetite and weight gain, and sleep disorders. Chronic use can result in osteoporosis, immune suppression, cataracts and serious endocrinological changes.