Crohn's disease: the subsequent visit.

The diagnosis and subsequent management of Crohn's disease are challenging for both the patient and the gastroenterologist. After the initial assessment, subsequent visits should assess the patient's readiness to begin therapy, monitor progress if therapy has been initiated, assess for complications of the disease or therapy, and ensure that all appropriate health maintenance measures are current. This article is intended to be a companion to our earlier paper "Crohn's Disease: The First Visit," which was published in Gastroenterology & Hepatology in March 2011. This article will offer a methodologic and sequential approach to subsequent office visits, as well as provide a checklist for the assessment of Crohn's disease.