Use of Exclusive Enteral Formula Diet as Adjunctive Therapy for Treatment of a Crohn's Disease Flare

Levi M Teigen; Abigail J Johnson; Eugenia Shmidt; Byron P Vaughn

doi:10.1093/crocol/otaa006

Use of Exclusive Enteral Formula Diet as Adjunctive Therapy for Treatment of a Crohn's Disease Flare

Crohns Colitis 360. 2020 Feb 13;2(1):otaa006. doi: 10.1093/crocol/otaa006. eCollection 2020 Jan.

Authors

Levi M Teigen¹, Abigail J Johnson², Eugenia Shmidt¹, Byron P Vaughn¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.
² BioTechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA.

Abstract

Introduction: We report the case of an adult patient who achieved remission of a Crohn's disease flare after treatment with exclusive enteral nutrition as adjunctive therapy to medication.

Case report: A 46-year-old man with severe, stricturing Crohn's presented for severe abdominal pain and weight loss; estimated Crohn's Disease Activity Index score greater than 300. Antibiotics, vedolizumab, budesonide, and exclusive enteral nutrition diet were instituted. Approximately 30 days later, his Crohn's Disease Activity Index score improved to 170.

Discussion: This case illustrates the possible utility of an exclusive enteral formula diet as an adjunct to medication to induce remission of a Crohn's disease flare.

Keywords: Crohn’s disease; exclusive enteral nutrition; gut microbiome.