According to data released by the CDC, Crohn's disease-related hospitalizations remained stable between 2003 and 2013 despite new therapies aimed at reducing remission and hospitalizations.
The CDC published a review of National Inpatient Sample hospital discharge data from 2003 to 2014, consisting of seven to eight million hospital records representing 20 percent of U.S. community hospitals in 37 to 44 states.
Here's what you should know:
1. After Crohn's disease-related hospitalizations increased from 1993 to 2004, they remained consistent from 2003 to 2013.
2. Inpatient procedures for small bowel resection declined, but colorectal resection and fistula repair procedures both remained constant.
3. The CDC said in a report that it's unclear whether the unchanging data is the beginning of decreases in hospitalizations and surgical procedures or if physicians are more aware of Crohn's.
4. The CDC has no public health program recommendations, but emphasized that stress reduction and stopping smoking could be beneficial in "ameliorating disease severity among patients with Crohn's."
5. The CDC advised that professional education should continue to increase awareness of Crohn's and to improve diagnosis and management of the disease.