Steering a Course through the COVID-19 Pandemic: Should the SECURE-IBD Registry Influence Prescribing for Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease?

Abstract

Summary The global pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2, also referred to as COVID-19) rapidly became an unprecedented healthcare challenge. It represents a particular concern for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), many of whom require treatment with immunosuppressive medication which may be associated with an increased risk of both viral and bacterial infections (Gastroenterology 2018;155(2):337-346.e10). Moreover, as IBD is a lifelong condition, patients are frequently older with comorbidities, further increasing the potential risks of a more severe COVID-19 disease course. This has led to considerable uncertainty over appropriate treatment of IBD in the COVID-19 era, and has brought safety considerations into the focus of the patients and physicians.