Sources of evidence

General practitioners are able to provide reports for people with mild disease whose exacerbations respond readily to standard drug therapies or who are in remission. People with perianal problems such as abscesses and fistulas may attend practice or community nurses for regular treatment and dressings.

People with Crohn’s disease which relapses regularly and those with more severe disease, attend gastroenterology clinics for regular monitoring. Care will be shared with surgical colleagues when operations are needed to treat complications. Reports may be obtained from hospital doctors and specialist gastroenterology nurses working in these clinics.

Amended April 2008