Harvey-Bradshaw Index for Crohn's Disease
Simplified clinical index for assessing Crohn's disease activity. Simpler bedside alternative to the CDAI, using 5 clinical variables.
Score interpretation
Harvey-Bradshaw Index < 5: Crohn's disease in remission.
→ Continue maintenance therapy (azathioprine, methotrexate, biologic). Review at 3–6 months. Monitoring for side effects and disease activity.
Harvey-Bradshaw 5–7: Mildly active Crohn's disease.
→ Review current therapy. Consider corticosteroids (prednisolone 40mg OD tapering). CRP, albumin, faecal calprotectin. Gastroenterology review.
Harvey-Bradshaw 8–16: Moderately active Crohn's disease.
→ Admit or urgent outpatient review. IV steroids if not tolerating oral. Imaging (MRI small bowel). Check for infection/abscess. Consider biologic therapy if steroid-dependent or refractory.
Harvey-Bradshaw > 16: Severely active Crohn's disease.
→ Admit. IV hydrocortisone. Exclude infection (stool MC&S, C. diff). Imaging — CT abdomen if complications (perforation, abscess, obstruction). IBD team + surgical review. Nutritional support.
Interpretation bands for the Harvey-Bradshaw. Apply clinical judgement and local guidance.
References
- Harvey RF, Bradshaw JM. A simple index of Crohn's disease activity. Lancet. 1980;1(8167):514.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
- Mayo Score for Ulcerative Colitis Activity · Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI) · Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Truelove and Witts Severity Index for Ulcerative Colitis · Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Ulcerative Colitis Endoscopic Index of Severity (UCEIS) · Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Simplified Endoscopic Score for Crohn's Disease (SES-CD) · Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Travis Criteria for Severe Ulcerative Colitis · Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Pindolol · Non-selective β-blocker (with intrinsic sympathomimetic activity)
- Dapsone · Anti-inflammatory / Antimicrobial
- Methotrexate (Dermatology — Psoriasis) · Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic / Immunosuppressant
- Risankizumab · IL-23 Inhibitor — Psoriasis / Crohn's
- Colchicine · Anti-inflammatory — Neutrophilic Dermatoses / Vasculitis
- Acetazolamide (Ménière's Disease) · Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitor (Diuretic)
- Upper GI Bleeding · BSG Guidelines 2019; NICE NG141
- Lower Gastrointestinal Bleed · NICE; BSG; ACPGBI — Commissioning Guide
- Acute Pancreatitis · NICE; IAP/APA; ACPGBI — CG104
- Sepsis Screening and Sepsis Six · UK Sepsis Trust; NICE NG51; Surviving Sepsis Campaign 2021
- Unintentional Weight Loss Workup · NICE NG12; BSG
- Chronic Fatigue Workup · NICE NG206; BMJ Best Practice
Decision support only — verify against a current formulary, NICE, or your local guideline before clinical use.