Terms to
For adults with moderate to severe Crohn’s disease in whom TNF blockers did not work well
Defining Crohn’s disease
Crohn’s disease – One of two inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) characterized by chronic inflammation. With Crohn’s disease, inflammation can affect any part of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, yet inflammation may only appear in patches—leaving some sections of the GI tract unaffected.
When you have Crohn’s, chronic inflammation can be present even when you are not experiencing Crohn’s symptoms. There are treatments that may help reduce chronic inflammation. Talk to your gastroenterologist to learn more.
Understanding Crohn’s
Autoimmune disease – A chronic condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells. Crohn’s is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes excessive inflammation in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract contributing to Crohn’s symptoms and GI tract damage
Colon – An organ in the digestive system that absorbs water and other elements from partially digested food to form stools that are passed out of the body. The colon is also known as the large intestine
Flare-up – A period when someone with Crohn’s experiences attacks of inflammation and associated symptoms. The buildup of inflammation that damages the GI tract is one factor that can contribute to flare-ups
Gastrointestinal (GI) tract – The pathway that starts from the mouth and follows through the organs of the digestive system ending with the anus. It’s responsible for transporting and digesting food through the body, absorbing water and nutrients and processing waste
Immune system – The body’s system of fighting off invaders that can make someone sick
Inflammation – Your immune system’s natural defense to harm, such as redness or swelling. When you have Crohn’s, your immune system can cause chronic inflammation, contributing to intestinal damage and Crohn’s symptoms
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) – A family of diseases that involve chronic inflammation of the digestive tract. Crohn’s disease is one of the two types of IBD. IBD is not the same thing as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which can have similar symptoms but does not involve chronic inflammation
Intestinal lining – A layer of cells that play important roles in the digestion of food, the absorption of nutrients, and the protection of the body from infection
Severity – With Crohn’s disease, severity is determined by the level of GI tract inflammation and damage, your Crohn’s disease history, and how Crohn’s impacts you, including your measurable symptoms
Small intestine – The part of your digestive system that receives food from the stomach and sends it on to the colon. The small intestine has a beginning section (duodenum), a middle section (jejunum), and an end section (ileum)
Diagnosing and monitoring Crohn’s
Biopsy – A medical procedure where a piece of tissue from the body, such as the colon, is collected and examined in a laboratory. Biopsies can be taken during an endoscopy to check for inflammation or damage to the colon that is visible only with a microscope
Colonoscopy – An exam that uses a small camera entering through the anus to look at the colon and/or rectum and help diagnose and monitor the severity of Crohn’s disease
Endoscopy – A procedure where a flexible tube-like instrument with a light and lens for viewing is used to look at the inside of the GI tract by entering through the mouth or anus to help diagnose and monitor your disease and potential complications. Endoscopy is a tool that can also help your doctor determine how you are responding to your medication
Gastroenterologist – A doctor who specializes in issues of the gastrointestinal tract, including inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) like Crohn’s
Upper endoscopy – A type of endoscopy that uses a small camera entering through the mouth to look at the upper end of the gastrointestinal tract (mouth, esophagus, stomach, and small intestine) to help diagnose and monitor the severity of Crohn’s disease
Treating Crohn’s
Aminosalicylates (5-ASAs) – Drugs that contain 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) and decrease inflammation in the lining of the intestine
Biologics – Substances made from living organisms or their products and given by infusion or injection for the prevention or treatment of various diseases. Biologics are also called biologic agents
Corticosteroids (Steroids) – Medications that help keep the immune system in check by limiting the body’s ability to initiate and maintain the inflammation process
Endoscopic improvement – In Crohn’s, endoscopic improvement is a visible reduction of damage of the lining in the GI tract caused by excess inflammation, as seen during an endoscopy procedure
Immune modifiers (Immunomodulators) – Medications that modify the body’s immune system activity to stop it from causing ongoing inflammation
Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors – Medications that work by targeting JAKs, some of the proteins involved in inflammation. RINVOQ is an example of a JAK inhibitor
Mechanism of action (MOA) – The process of how a drug works inside the body
Remission – A period when someone experiences few or no Crohn’s symptoms. Your gastroenterologist can confirm that you’re in remission if your Crohn’s disease activity index (CDAI) score is below 150
Small molecule – A drug that can enter cells easily because it has a low molecular weight. Many medications that interact with specific components in your body are small molecules. Small molecule drugs are typically administered orally
Steroid-free remission – A stage of Crohn’s when a patient can experience a period of time with little to no Crohn’s symptoms without relying on steroids
Treatment response – In Crohn’s, treatment response is a reduction in symptoms and/or an improvement in overall intestinal tract appearance as a result of taking medication (as opposed to other factors like diet or exercise)
