Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which encompasses both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, is a chronically relapsing intestinal disorder that is characterized by diarrhea and abdominal pain. <br /> <p>The incidence of IBD is increasing worldwide. Although some major advances have been made in recent years, the pathogenesis of the disease still remains obscure. As currently understood, a combination of genetic alterations and immunological disturbances causing an interaction of the enteric microflora with the underlying mucosa and a disrupted barrier function may be crucial for the development of disease.<br /> </p> <p>Despite substantial new data that have been obtained over the last several years, it has become increasingly difficult to accommodate these into a unifying disease model. Identification of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines has introduced “biologic therapies,” but treatment of IBD is still based mainly on broad-spectrum immunosuppressive drugs such as steroids and azathioprine. In this volume, the most relevant pathogenetic aspects are stressed: genetic alterations, disrupted epithelial barrier function, immunological disturbances, and the role of the enteric microflora.<br /> </p> <p><i><b>NOTE:</b> Annals volumes are available for sale as individual books or as a journal. For information on institutional journal subscriptions, please visit</i> <a href=”http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/nyas”><u><i>www.blackwellpublishing.com/nyas</i></u></a>.</p> <p><i><b>ACADEMY MEMBERS</b>: Please contact the New York Academy of Sciences directly to place your order (</i><a href=”http://www.nyas.org/”><u><i>www.nyas.org</i></u></a><i>). Members of the New York Academy of Science receive full-text access to the Annals online and discounts on print volumes. Please visit <a href=”http://www.nyas.org/MemberCenter/Join.aspx”>http://www.nyas.org/MemberCenter/Join.aspx</a> for more information about becoming a member.</i></p>