Optimizing therapy with 6-mercaptopurine and azathioprine: to measure or not to measure?

摘要

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a broad term that encompasses a heterogeneous group of inflammatory conditions of the small and large bowel but generally refers to ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). These conditions are believed to occur when, with the appropriate genetic predisposition, gut flora activate an exaggerated immune response. The resultant inflammation leads to myriad symptoms, a possible need for surgery, an increased risk of cancer, and a decreased quality of life, to name just a few.