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The Different Drummer: Non-traditional Therapeutic Approaches

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Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Part of the book series: Clinical Gastroenterology ((CG))

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Abstract

Clinicians are frequently asked about the use of complementary and alternative medications (CAM) in the setting of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), given the significant numbers of patients who do not respond optimally to conventional therapy. Largely, the interest for CAM therapies from patients has outpaced the scientific evidence for such therapies. While there is some existing evidence and few controlled trials, most CAM studies are small, use heterogeneous populations, and have inconsistent results. Larger controlled studies are needed to make meaningful statements on their efficacy. Despite this, CAM therapies are likely here to stay, and patients will continue to inquire about them, so the onus in on practicing clinicians to appreciate the existing data, the relevant patients groups studied, and present all treatment options to patients in a clear and evidence-based fashion, which will further allow practitioners to build trust with patients with IBD and optimize their care. The aim of this review is to present the existing data on probiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation, helminths, herbs and botanicals including cannabis, and mind-body practices as CAM therapy for IBD.

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  1. University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, NorthShore University HealthSystem, 2650 Ridge Avenue, Suite G221, Evanston, IL, 60201, USA

    Eugene F. Yen MD, FACG

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Correspondence to Eugene F. Yen MD, FACG .

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  1. Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center, The University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA

    Russell D. Cohen

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Yen, E.F. (2017). The Different Drummer: Non-traditional Therapeutic Approaches. In: Cohen, R. (eds) Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Clinical Gastroenterology. Humana Press, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-53763-4_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-53763-4_12

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