Inflammatory Intestinal Diseases : Why Do We Need Another Gastroenterology

to all physicians caring for patients with inflammatory intestinal diseases. These diseases, especially inflammatory bowel disease, are still increasing in incidence and prevalence in the Western world, and there is an even more dramatic rise in the Asian/Pacific area. The factors responsible for this increase in the Asian/Pacific area are equally important for an understanding of disease pathogenesis in the Western world. A better exchange of the research results on inflammatory intestinal diseases between the East and the West is necessary, and no existing journal so far reflects this necessity. The intention to connect the two research areas will also be represented by the members of the Editorial Board of Inflammatory Intestinal Diseases . Inflammatory Intestinal Diseases further aims to reduce the separation into clinical and basic science in the field of inflammatory intestinal diseases. It will improve the exchange of knowledge between the Asian/Pacific area and North America and Europe on the one hand, We are very pleased, happy, and proud to provide you with the first issue of Inflammatory Intestinal Diseases , a new journal in the field of gastroenterology and intestinal pathophysiology. Why do we think that another journal should be published in an era in which a multitude of online journals have been founded in recent years and the number of publications reaches new records every year? We think that this is well justified by the fact that Inflammatory Intestinal Diseases is based on an innovative and novel concept, aiming to provide a platform for Asian and Western research and to foster and support communication and the exchange of knowledge. The journal features special articles prepared by two authors from the East and West, covering genetics, epidemiology, diagnostic methods, and treatment options of a disease, and includes a comparison of the two sets of data from the different areas. Inflammatory Intestinal Diseases will bring the most current information, both in clinical and basic sciences, Published online: April 2, 2016