Effect of low residue diet on Crohn's disease

The efficacy of low residue diet (LRD; Clinimeal®) on Crohn's disease was studied. The patients consisted of 11 with active Crohn's disease for primary therapy and 23 with inactive Crohn's disease for maintenance therapy. Eight weeks after primary therapy, significant improvement was noted in Crohn's desease activity index and labolatory data such as inflammatory and nutritional index. In addition, radiographic findings revealed healing or improvement of active lesions such as longitudinal ulcer, cobblestone appearance, and aphthoid ulcer in 21 of 22 small intestinal lesions and in 8 of 9 colonic lesions. In maitenance therapy by oral intake at home, patients treated with a larger amount of LRD had lower relapsing and hosipitalization rates. These reuslts suggest that LRD is effective for primary and maintenance therapy of Crohn's disease.