Management of COVID-19 Pandemic in Spanish Inflammatory Bowel Disease Units: Results From a National Survey.

Eduardo Martin Arranz,Jose Luis Rueda García,Laura García Ramírez,Yamile Zabana,María Sánchez-Azofra,Manuel Barreiro-De Acosta,Joaquín Poza Cordón,María Dolores Martín-Arranz,Cristina Suarez Ferrer,Jesus Noci

doi:10.1093/ibd/izaa142

Abstract

BackgroundThe outbreak of COVID-19 has rapidly evolved into a pandemic that has represented a challenge to health systems worldwide. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) units have been forced to change their practices to address the disease and to ensure the quality of care.MethodsWe conducted a national survey among IBD gastroenterologist members of the Spanish Working Group on Crohn’s Disease and Colitis regarding changes of practice, IBD treatments, and diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19.ResultsWe received 54 answers from Spanish hospitals. One hundred percent of the IBD units rescheduled onsite visits to telematic consultation, and elective endoscopic and surgical procedures were delayed. Protective measures were also taken in the infusion units (100% of health centers) and hospital pharmacies, with 40.7% sending subcutaneous medications to patients. No switching between intravenous and subcutaneous anti-tumor necrosis factor drugs were made. We also found that 96.1% of IBD units advised their patients to maintain treatment if they were asymptomatic for COVID-19. For patients with COVID-19 symptoms, 92.6% of IBD units referred them to primary care or the emergency department. In addition, 7.5% of IBD units made a COVID-19 diagnosis through polymerase chain reaction and/or chest x-ray.Modifications in IBD treatment and treatment recommended for COVID-19 are also discussed.ConclusionsWe report a representative national survey of changes made in the structure, diagnosis of COVID-19, and modifications in IBD treatments within IBD units.

Highlights

In December 2019, an alert was issued from the Chinese population of Wuhan warning about a severe acute respiratory syndrome caused by a new coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2)
We found that 96.1% of Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) units advised their patients to maintain treatment if they were asymptomatic for COVID-19
For patients with COVID-19 symptoms, 92.6% of IBD units referred them to primary care or the emergency department

Summary

Introduction

In December 2019, an alert was issued from the Chinese population of Wuhan warning about a severe acute respiratory syndrome caused by a new coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This disease, which has been named coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), exponentially spread across all continents in just a few weeks. On March 11, 2020, when approximately 300,000 people around the world were affected by COVID-19, the World Health Organization officially declared the disease a pandemic This pandemic has affected more than 2.5 million people and caused more than 180,000 deaths as of April 23, 2020.1.

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