The missing evidence: Stricturing Crohn's disease in clinical trials, a systematic review.
Inflamm Bowel DisOct 1, 2026
Clinical ResearchGastroenterology
Elettra Merola, Daniele La Rocca, Mariano Scaglione et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review assessed the efficacy of biologic and small-molecule therapies in stricturing Crohn's disease (CD) among adults. It included 10 prospective studies, primarily focusing on anti-tumor necrosis factor agents, which were associated with clinical improvement and reduced inflammatory activity. However, no prospective trials specifically evaluated small-molecule therapies.
Key findings
- Biologic therapy was linked to clinical improvement and reduced need for surgery in stricturing CD.
- Response to treatment varied by stricture severity, with lower rates in nonpassable lesions.
- Imaging techniques showed reductions in bowel wall thickness but lacked standardized fibrosis assessment.
Why it matters
Understanding the limited evidence for treatment options in stricturing Crohn's disease is crucial for clinicians, as it highlights the need for more targeted research and the importance of imaging in patient management.