Inflammatory Bowel Disease Care Research Articles

Patient, Parent, and Provider Perceptions of Barriers to Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease Care.

Children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have a significant life-long burden as a result of disease, impacted by environmental and individual barriers. Successful health system interventions require a comprehensive approach, informed by various stakeholders. The main objective was to identify health system barriers and potential solutions from existing patients, families, and providers via focus groups. Participants for the focus groups were existing English-speaking patients (ages 9-18) with IBD, their caregiver(s), and providers including multiple professions (eg, physician, nurse, pediatrician, social worker, care coordinator, scheduler, and psychologist). Separate focus groups were led by experienced personnel for parents, children, and providers, using a standardized interview guide. Sessions were recorded, transcribed, and verified. Using content analysis, we systematically classified data through coding and identified themes. Focus groups comprised (a) 3 patient groups (n = 20, 50% female, including 2 younger; mean age = 11.4 ± 1.5 years) and 1 older group (mean age = 15.6 ± 1.3 years), (b) 3 parent groups (n = 24, 83% female), and (c) 2 multidisciplinary provider groups (n = 19). Families shared several common concerns with providers (eg, school, care delay, psychosocial, and financial) but varied on specifics. Some barriers may be addressable through family or staff education, improved communication (eg, care delay/ access, transition), or training (eg, labs and diet), while others may require change at an institutional or policy level (eg, insurance). This qualitative analysis identified several barriers to IBD care, some shared, some unique to patients, parents, and providers, highlighting the importance of obtaining multiple stakeholder perspectives when exploring barriers to care.

Impact of Opioid Use on the Natural History of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Prospective Longitudinal Follow-up Study.

Opioid use is increasingly prevalent amongst patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but whether opioids have deleterious effects, or their use is merely linked with more severe disease, is unclear. We conducted a longitudinal follow-up study examining this issue. Data on demographics, gastrointestinal and psychological symptoms, quality of life, and opioid use were recorded at baseline. Data on healthcare use and adverse disease outcomes were obtained from a review of electronic medical records at 12 months. Characteristics at baseline of those using opioids and those who were not were compared, in addition to occurrence of flare, prescription of glucocorticosteroids, treatment escalation, hospitalization, or intestinal resection during the 12 months of follow-up. Of 1029 eligible participants, 116 (11.3%) were taking opioids at baseline. Medium (odds ratio [OR], 4.67; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.61-13.6) or high (OR, 8.03; 95% CI, 2.21-29.2) levels of somatoform symptom-reporting and use of antidepressants (OR, 2.54; 95% CI, 1.34-4.84) or glucocorticosteroids (OR, 6.63; 95% CI, 2.26-19.5; P < .01 for all analyses) were independently associated with opioid use. Following multivariate analysis, opioid users were significantly more likely to undergo intestinal resection (hazard ratio, 7.09; 95% CI, 1.63 to 30.9; P = .009), particularly when codeine or dihydrocodeine were excluded (hazard ratio, 42.9; 95% CI, 3.36 to 548; P = .004). Opioid use in IBD is associated with psychological comorbidity and increased risk of intestinal resection, particularly in stronger formulations. Future studies should stratify the risk of individual opioids, so that robust prescribing algorithms can be developed and assess whether addressing psychological factors in routine IBD care could be an effective opioid avoidance strategy.

Integrating Virtual Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Into Inflammatory Bowel Disease Care: Mixed Methods Feasibility Trial.

Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) experience cycles of aggressive physical symptoms including abdominal pain, diarrhea, and fatigue. These acute symptoms regress and return, and chronic symptoms and complications often linger. The nature of the disease can also cause individuals to experience psychological distress including symptoms of anxiety and depression; however, unlike the physical symptoms of IBD, these psychological symptoms often remain untreated. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of virtual mindfulness-based stress reduction (v-MBSR) for adults with IBD. IBD patients with self-reported anxiety or depression were recruited from clinics in Alberta, Canada to participate in an 8-week v-MSBR intervention. Eligible patients participated in v-MBSR delivered by psychiatrists using a videoconferencing platform. Primary feasibility outcomes included trial uptake, adherence, attendance, and attrition rates. Secondary effectiveness outcomes included measures of anxiety, depression, quality of life (QoL), and mindfulness. Effectiveness data were collected at 3 time points: baseline, at intervention completion, and 6 months after completion. To further assess feasibility and acceptability, participants were invited to participate in a semistructured interview after completing v-MBSR. A total of 16 of the 64 (25%) referred patients agreed to participate in v-MBSR with the most common reason for decline being a lack of time while 7 of the 16 (43.8%) participants completed the program and experienced encouraging effects including decreased anxiety and depression symptoms and increased health-related QoL with both improvements persisting at 6-month follow-up. Participants described improved coping strategies and disease management techniques as benefits of v-MBSR. Patients with IBD were interested in a psychiatrist-led virtual anxiety management intervention, but results demonstrate v-MBSR may be too time intensive for some patients with IBD patients. v-MBSR was acceptable to those who completed the intervention, and improvements to anxiety, depression, and QoL were promising and sustainable. Future studies should attempt to characterize the patients with IBD who may benefit most from interventions like v-MBSR.

A Digital Health Intervention to Improve the Clinical Care of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic condition that requires close monitoring. Digital health virtual care platforms can enable self-monitoring and allow providers to remotely surveil patients and efficiently identify those with active disease. The primary aim was to design and implement an IBD remote monitoring program, identify predictors of patient engagement, and determine who found the chat to be a valuable tool. We developed the IBD Virtual Care Chat, an electronic health record (EHR)-integrated chat to monitor electronic patient reported outcomes (ePROs), medication changes, and disease activity, and subsequently report concerning findings to providers via the EHR. All patients in the IBD practice over age 18 with a clinical encounter in the preceding 12 months were eligible to be enrolled. The primary aim was to identify predictors of patient engagement and determine who found the chat to be a valuable tool. Between May 2021 and March 2022, 2,934 patients were enrolled. A total of 1,160 engaged at least once and 687 (23.4%) continually engaged, submitting at least three ePROs. Disease severity (based on Harvey-Bradshaw Index or Simple Clinical Colitis Activity Index) did not impact ePRO submissions. Patients were significantly more likely to be continually engaged if they self-reported the presence of extraintestinal manifestations (7%, 95% confidence interval: 0.01-0.14; p = 0.04). Patient satisfaction remained moderately high with a median score of 8 (interquartile range: 5-10) on a scale of 1 (poor) to 10 (good). Our program demonstrates the potential for EHR-integrated digital health as part of routine IBD care to achieve sustained engagement with high patient satisfaction.

Bedside Intestinal Ultrasound Performed in an Inflammatory Bowel Disease Urgent Assessment Clinic Improves Clinical Decision-Making and Resource Utilization.

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) require accessible, timely, and noninvasive strategies to monitor disease. The aim was to assess the integration of intestinal ultrasound (IUS) on decision-making and endoscopy utilization in a standardized care pathway. This prospective, multicenter, international, observational cohort study included patients seen within a centralized model for IBD care was conducted during the COVID pandemic. Patients were evaluated with IUS alone or in combination with an in-clinic, unsedated sigmoidoscopy. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and imaging data, clinical decisions, and need for urgent endoscopy, hospitalization, and surgeries were recorded. Of the 158 patients included, the majority had an established diagnosis of Crohn's disease (n = 123, 78%), and 47% (n = 75) of patients were on biologic therapy. IUS identified active inflammation in 65% (n = 102) of patients, and strictures in 14% (n = 22). Fecal calprotectin levels correlated with inflammation detected on IUS (median of 50 μg/g [Q1-Q3: 26-107 μg/g] without inflammation and 270 μg/g [Q1-Q3: 61-556 μg/g] with inflammation; p = 0.0271). In the majority of patients, clinical assessment with IUS led to an acute change in IBD-specific medications (57%, n = 90) and avoided or delayed the need for urgent endoscopy (85%, n = 134). Four patients were referred for urgent surgical consultation. Point-of-care IUS used in a flare clinic pathway is a useful strategy to improve effective IBD care delivery and to assist in therapeutic management decisions, in many cases avoiding the acute need for endoscopy.

Identification and Evaluation of Mobile Applications for Self-Management of Diet and Lifestyle for Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Mobile health applications (apps) providing diet and lifestyle self-management programs to patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are emerging. The objective of this study was to evaluate current apps available in the US and Canada based on app quality, perceived impact on diet and mental health and comprehensiveness to support self-management. The Apple iOS and Google Play app stores were searched for terms related to IBD. Apps were included if they targeted diet and lifestyle behaviours for patients living with IBD and were available to the general public. Apps were excluded if they were not specific to IBD, not available in English, did not target diet or lifestyle therapy, were not available in the US and Canada, or did not offer stand-alone self-management programs. The Mobile App Rating Scale was used to assess mobile app quality. A total of 1,512 apps were identified through the app stores. Six apps met inclusion criteria. My IBD Care: Crohn's and Colitis received the highest quality rating and LyfeMD received the highest overall app rating. Only these two apps provided behaviour tracking over time, and three (50 percent) apps provided good-quality information. While many IBD-related apps exist, few support self-management of diet and lifestyle behaviours. The My IBD Care and LyfeMD apps had the highest ratings and can be used to track lifestyle behaviours. The effectiveness of these apps to improve behaviours, and subsequently impact the disease course and quality of life, should be explored in future studies.

The 2023 Impact of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Canada: Access to and Models of Care.

Rising compounding prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (Kaplan GG, Windsor JW. The four epidemiological stages in the global evolution of inflammatory bowel disease. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2021;18:56-66.) and pandemic-exacerbated health system resource limitations have resulted in significant variability in access to high-quality, evidence-based, person-centered specialty care for Canadians living with IBD. Individuals with IBD have identified long wait times, gaps in biopsychosocial care, treatment and travel expenses, and geographic and provider variation in IBD specialty care and knowledge as some of the key barriers to access. Care delivered within integrated models of care (IMC) has shown promise related to impact on disease-related outcomes and quality of life. However, access to these models is limited within the Canadian healthcare systems and much remains to be learned about the most appropriate IMC team composition and roles. Although eHealth technologies have been leveraged to overcome some access challenges since COVID-19, more research is needed to understand how best to integrate eHealth modalities (i.e., video or telephone visits) into routine IBD care. Many individuals with IBD are satisfied with these eHealth modalities. However, not all disease assessment and monitoring can be achieved through virtual modalities. The need for access to person-centered, objective disease monitoring strategies, inclusive of point of care intestinal ultrasound, is more pressing than ever given pandemic-exacerbated restrictions in access to endoscopy and cross-sectional imaging. Supporting learning healthcare systems for IBD and research relating to the strategic use of innovative and integrative implementation strategies for evidence-based IBD care interventions are greatly needed. Data derived from this research will be essential to appropriately allocating scarce resources aimed at improving person-centred access to cost-effective IBD care.

The 2023 Impact of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Canada: Mental Health and Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Psychiatric disorders are 1.5 to 2 times more prevalent in persons with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) than in the general population, with pooled prevalence estimates of 21% for clinical anxiety and 15% for depression. Rates are even higher when considering mental health symptoms, as nearly one-third of persons with IBD experience elevated anxiety symptoms and one-quarter experience depression symptoms. Rates of these symptoms were much higher during periods of disease activity, more common in women than men, and more common in Crohn's disease than ulcerative colitis. There is robust evidence of the detrimental effects of comorbid depression and anxiety on the subsequent course of IBD based on longitudinal studies tracking outcomes over time. However, psychiatric disorders and IBD have bidirectional effects, with each affecting risk of the other. Elevated mental health concerns have been consistently associated with greater healthcare utilization and costs related to IBD. There is some signal that low resilience in adolescence could be a risk factor for developing IBD and that enhancing resilience may improve mental health and intestinal disease outcomes in IBD. Psychological therapies used to treat anxiety and depression occurring in the context of IBD have been shown to significantly improve the quality of life for persons with IBD and reduce anxiety and depression. There is less evidence in regard to the impact of psychotropic medications on mental health or disease outcomes in persons with IBD. There is consensus, however, that mental health must be addressed as part of comprehensive IBD care for children and adults.

PROFILE OF INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE NURSES IN BRAZIL.

•An identification of the profile of inflammatory bowel disease nurses in Brazil was peformed, and only four nurses worked exclusively with patients with inflammatory bowel disease. •The main areas of activity were outpatient clinics and ostomy care. •Nursing care was based on the nursing process, and the main topics approached in these appointments were treatment adherence and ostomy. •Nurses showed knowledge on immunosuppressive medications and biological therapy. Background - Nurses play a fundamental role within the inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) multidisciplinary team. Objective - To identify the profile of IBD nurses in Brazil and their work process organization and characterize the health services where they work. Methods - A questionnaire-based research was developed. The inclusion criteria were nurses with experience in IBD care, nurses with scientific research published in an indexed journal or in process, nurses with master's or doctorate degrees concluded or in progress, and educator nurses with expertise in IBD.Results - Seventy-four nurses were included, among whom 66 (89.19%) were women; their mean age was 40.63±9.98 years. Sixty-six percent work in the Southeast region, and more than half (54.05%) had a specialization course. Only four (5.41%) nurses worked exclusively with patients with IBD. The main areas of activity were outpatient clinics (39%) and ostomy care (35%). Nursing care was based on the nursing process (51.35%), and the main topics approached in nursing appointment were treatment adherence (72.97%), and ostomy (68.92%). Forty-seven (63.51%) nurses had knowledge on immunosuppressive medications and 52 (70.27%) on biological therapy. Most health services were integrated with a hospital that has clinical (72.97%) and surgical hospitalization units (67.57%), and 46 (62.16%) of them had an infusion center. Conclusion - Describing the work process of IBD nurses can supplement their organization of the IBD assistance process, as they do not follow any specific consensus. In addition, the characteristics necessary for IBD care are not found in all health services.

Optimizing the Transition and Transfer of Care in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Health care transition from pediatric to adult care has been identified as a priority in the field of medicine, especially for those with chronic illnesses such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Although there is no universally accepted model of preparing the pediatric patient for transfer to adult care , transition care is best accomplished in a structured and consistent manner. The authors highlight concepts for optimizing the transition of care for patients with IBD, which include setting expectations throughout adolescence with the gradual nurturing of self-management skills, preparing and assessing of readiness for transfer, and enacting a successful transfer to adult care.

Efficacy of psychological therapies in people with inflammatory bowel disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

There is increasing evidence for an influence of the gut-brain axis on the natural history of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Psychological therapies could, therefore, have beneficial effects in individuals with IBD, but data are conflicting. We aimed to update our previous systematic review and meta-analysis to assess whether the inclusion of more randomised controlled trials (RCTs) showed any beneficial effects and whether these effects varied by treatment modality. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, Embase Classic, PsychINFO, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from Jan 1, 2016, to April 30, 2023, for RCTs published in any language recruiting individuals aged 16 years or older with IBD that compared psychological therapy with a control intervention or treatment as usual. We pooled dichotomous data to obtain relative risks (RR) with 95% CIs of inducing remission in people with active disease or of relapse in people with quiescent disease at final follow-up. We pooled continuous data to estimate standardised mean differences (SMD) with 95% CIs in disease activity indices, anxiety scores, depression scores, stress scores, and quality-of-life scores at completion of therapy and at final follow-up. We pooled all data using a random-effects model. Trials were analysed separately according to whether they recruited people with clinically active IBD or predominantly individuals whose disease was quiescent. We conducted subgroup analyses by mode of therapy and according to whether trials recruited selected groups of people with IBD. We used the Cochrane risk of bias tool to assess bias at the study level and assessed funnel plots using the Egger test. We assessed heterogeneity using the I2 statistic. The updated literature search identified a total of 469 new records, 11 of which met eligibility criteria. 14 studies were included from our previous meta-analysis published in 2017. In total, 25 RCTs were eligible for this meta-analysis, all of which were at high risk of bias. Only four RCTs recruited patients with active IBD; there were insufficient data for meta-analysis of remission, disease activity indices, depression scores, and stress scores. In patients with active IBD, psychological therapy had no benefit compared with control for anxiety scores at completion of therapy (two RCTs; 79 people; SMD -1·04, 95% CI -2·46 to 0·39), but did have significant benefit for quality-of-life scores at completion of therapy (four RCTs; 309 people; 0·68, 0·09 to 1·26), although heterogeneity between studies was high (I2=82%). In individuals with quiescent IBD, RR of relapse of disease activity was not reduced with psychological therapy (ten RCTs; 861 people; RR 0·83, 95% CI 0·62 to 1·12), with moderate heterogeneity (I2=60%), and the funnel plot suggested evidence of publication bias or other small study effects (Egger test p=0·046). For people with quiescent IBD at completion of therapy, there was no difference in disease activity indices between psychological therapy and control (13 RCTs; 1015 people; SMD -0·01, 95% CI -0·13 to 0·12; I2=0%). Anxiety scores (13 RCTs; 1088 people; -0·23, -0·36 to -0·09; 18%), depression scores (15 RCTs; 1189 people; -0·26, -0·38 to -0·15; 2%), and stress scores (11 RCTs; 813 people; -0·22, -0·42 to -0·03; 47%) were significantly lower, and quality-of-life scores (16 RCTs; 1080 people; 0·31, 0·16 to 0·46; 30%) were significantly higher, with psychological therapy versus control at treatment completion. Statistically significant benefits persisted up to final follow-up for depression scores (12 RCTs; 856 people; -0·16, -0·30 to -0·03; 0%). Effects were strongest in RCTs of third-wave therapies and in RCTs that recruited people with impaired psychological health, fatigue, or reduced quality of life at baseline. Psychological therapies have beneficial, short-term effects on anxiety, depression, stress, and quality-of-life scores, but not on disease activity. Further RCTs in selected groups are needed to establish the place for such therapies in IBD care. None.

Treatment of inflammatory bowel disease-Asian perspectives: the results of a multinational web-based survey in the 8th Asian Organization for Crohn's and Colitis meeting.

As the characteristics of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) differ between Asians and Westerners, it is necessary to determine adequate therapeutic strategy for Asian IBD patients. We evaluated the current treatment of IBD in Asian countries/regions using a web-based survey. The Korean Association for the Study of Intestinal Diseases conducted a multinational web-based survey for current IBD care in Asia between September 16, 2020, and November 13, 2020. A total of 384 doctors treating IBD patients from 24 Asian countries/regions responded to the survey. Anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) agents, anti-integrins, and anti-interleukin-12/23 agents were available for use by 93.8%, 72.1%, and 70.1% of respondents in Asian countries/regions. Compared with a previous survey performed in 2014, an increased tendency for treatment with biologics, including anti-TNF agents, was observed. In the treatment of corticosteroid-refractory acute severe ulcerative colitis, 72.1% of respondents chose anti-TNF agents, followed by tacrolimus (11.7%). In the treatment of corticosteroid-refractory Crohn's disease, 90.4% chose anti-TNF agents, followed by thiopurines (53.1%), anti-interleukin-12/23 agents (39.3%), and anti-integrin agents (35.7%). In the treatment of Crohn's disease patients refractory to anti-TNF agents, the most preferred strategy was to measure serum levels of anti-TNF and anti-drug antibodies (40.9%), followed by empiric dose escalation or shortening of dosing intervals (25.3%). Although there were some differences, treatment strategies for patients with IBD were mostly similar among Asian doctors. Based on the therapeutic outcomes, it is necessary to identify the most appropriate therapeutic strategy for Asian IBD patients.

Impact of Telemedicine on Delivery of Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease Care.

Outpatient inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) care shifted from office visits (OVs) to a model with integrated telemedicine during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. We describe the impact of this shift on delivery of pediatric IBD care. We collected electronic medical record data from office and telemedicine visits for pediatric patients with IBD at a single center from April 2019 to December 2020. We compared visit volume, duration, and test ordering between 2019 and 2020, and between OV and telemedicine, and assessed for differences in telemedicine adoption by sociodemographic factors. Visit volume was maintained between 2019 and 2020. Median overall appointment time was shorter for telemedicine versus OV [46 (interquartile range, IQR 35-72) vs 62 (IQR 51-80) minutes; P < 0.001] with no significant difference in time spent with provider [28 (IQR 21-41) vs OV 30 (IQR 24-39) minutes; P = 0.08]. Accounting for drive time, telemedicine visits were 2.6 times shorter than office visits in 2020 ( P < 0.001). In univariate analyses, there was no difference in telemedicine utilization by race or gender. Variables significantly associated with telemedicine were older age, English as primary language, being non-Hispanic, commercial insurance, living in an area of very high opportunity, and having a longer drive time to the office ( P < 0.05 for all comparisons). In multivariate analyses, visits among patients with commercial insurance were significantly more likely to be conducted via telemedicine ( P = 0.02). Among those with a telemedicine visit, multivariate analyses demonstrated multiracial patients were significantly more likely to have video visits (vs audio-only; P = 0.02), while patients with public insurance, no or missing insurance, and whose primary language was Arabic were significantly less likely to have video visits ( P < 0.05 for all comparisons). Integrated telemedicine allowed for continued delivery of pediatric IBD care and significantly decreased appointment time. While telemedicine may improve access for those who live further from the office, concerns remain about the introduction of disparities.

The Evolving Role of Technology in Delivering Patient-centric, Empowered Health Care in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Patient Experience Using Crohn's Colitis Care e-Health Consumer Platform.

Crohn’s Colitis Care is a novel, IBD-specific e-Health platform used for the management of IBD in Australasia. We explored the patient user experience and how advancements in technology can improve health care delivery and patient empowerment.

Health Disparities in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Care Driven by Rural Versus Urban Residence: Challenges and Potential Solutions

Health Disparities in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Care Driven by Rural Versus Urban Residence: Challenges and Potential Solutions

Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Appalachian Kentucky: An Investigation of Outcomes and Health Care Utilization.

Rural residence has been associated with a lower incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) but higher health care utilization and worse outcomes. Socioeconomic status is intrinsically tied to both IBD incidence and outcomes. Inflammatory bowel disease outcomes have not been investigated in Appalachia: a rural, economically distressed region rife with risk factors for both increased incidence and unfavorable outcomes. Hospital inpatient discharge and outpatient services databases were utilized to assess outcomes in patients diagnosed with either Crohn's disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC) in Kentucky. Encounters were classified by patient residence in Appalachian or non-Appalachian counties. Data were reported as crude and age-adjusted rates of visits per 100,000 population per year collected in 2016 to 2019. National inpatient discharge data from 2019, stratified by rural and urban classification codes, were utilized to compare Kentucky to national trends. Crude and age-adjusted rates of inpatient, emergency department and outpatient encounters were higher in the Appalachian cohort for all 4 years observed. Appalachian inpatient encounters are more frequently associated with a surgical procedure (Appalachian, 676, 24.7% vs non-Appalachian, 1408, 22.2%; P = .0091). In 2019, the Kentucky Appalachian cohort had significantly higher crude and age-adjusted rates of inpatient discharges for all IBD diagnoses compared with national rural and nonrural populations (crude 55.2; 95% CI, 50.9-59.5; age-adjusted 56.7; 95% CI, 52.1-61.3). There is disproportionately higher IBD health care utilization in Appalachian Kentucky compared with all cohorts, including the national rural population. There is a need for aggressive investigation into root causes of these disparate outcomes and identification of barriers to appropriate IBD care.

Racial Disparities in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease Care: Differences in Outcomes and Health Service Utilization Between Black and White Children

To describe racial inequities in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease care and explore potential drivers. We undertook a single-center, comparative cohort study of newly diagnosed Black and non-Hispanic White patients with inflammatory bowel disease, aged <21years, from January 2013 through 2020. Primary outcome was corticosteroid-free remission (CSFR) at 1year. Other longitudinal outcomes included sustained CSFR, time to anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy, and evaluation of health service utilization. Among 519 children (89% White, 11% Black), 73% presented with Crohn's disease and 27% with ulcerative colitis. Disease phenotype did not differ by race. More patients from Black families had public insurance (58% vs 30%, P<.001). Black patients were less likely to achieve CSFR 1-year post diagnosis (OR: 0.52, 95% CI:0.3-0.9) and less likely to achieve sustained CSFR (OR: 0.48, 95% CI: 0.25-0.92). When adjusted by insurance type, differences by race to 1-year CSFR were no longer significant (aOR: 0.58; 95% CI: 0.33, 1.04; P=.07). Black patients were more likely to transition from remission to a worsened state, and less likely to transition to remission. We found no differences in biologic therapy utilization or surgical outcomes by race. Black patients had fewer gastroenterology clinic visits and 2-fold increased odds for emergency department visits. We observed no differences by race in phenotypic presentation and medication usage. Black patients had half the odds of achieving clinical remission, but a degree of this was mediated by insurance status. Understanding the cause of such differences will require further exploration of social determinants of health.

Establishing key performance indicators for inflammatory bowel disease in the UK

Background and aimsHealthcare quality improvement (QI) is the systematic process to continuously improve the quality of care and outcomes for patients. The landmark Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) UK National Audits...

The enteric nervous system relays psychological stress to intestinal inflammation

Mental health profoundly impacts inflammatory responses in the body. This is particularly apparent in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), in which psychological stress is associated with exacerbated disease flares. Here, we discover a critical role for the enteric nervous system (ENS) in mediating the aggravating effect of chronic stress on intestinal inflammation. We find that chronically elevated levels of glucocorticoids drive the generation of an inflammatory subset of enteric glia that promotes monocyte- and TNF-mediated inflammation via CSF1. Additionally, glucocorticoids cause transcriptional immaturity in enteric neurons, acetylcholine deficiency, and dysmotility via TGF-β2. We verify the connection between the psychological state, intestinal inflammation, and dysmotility in three cohorts of IBD patients. Together, these findings offer a mechanistic explanation for the impact of the brain on peripheral inflammation, define the ENS as a relay between psychological stress and gut inflammation, and suggest that stress management could serve as a valuable component of IBD care.

The burden of early life stress in chronic inflammatory bowel diseases.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of early life stress (ELS) in a population with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and to estimate its burden on mental, physical, and digestive health. Ninety-three participants with IBD were asked to anonymously complete questionnaires (Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form, Early Life Event Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Ways of Coping Checklist, Gastro-Intestinal Quality of Life Index questionnaire, and ad hoc questions about symptoms). The prevalence of patients with IBD who were exposed to at least one childhood abuse was 53%. Mental health and quality of life were significantly poorer in patients with IBD who were exposed to early abuse than in those who were not. Patients exposed to ELS had also more digestive perturbations and fatigue. These results suggest that early abuse should be considered a component of IBD care.