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Background There is a clinical need to improve monitoring of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) disease activity. Despite being used regularly in European countries, intestinal ultrasound (IUS) has been implemented less in the United States for unclear reasons. Aims The aim of this study is to illustrate how IUS can be used as a clinical decision-making tool in an American IBD cohort. Methods This retrospective cohort analysis evaluated patients with IBD seen at our institution who underwent IUS as part of routine evaluation of their IBD from July 2020 to March 2022. To evaluate the clinical utility of IUS for different patient populations and against more frequently used measures of inflammation, we compared patient demographics, inflammatory markers, clinical scores, and medications between patients in remission and those with active inflammation. Treatment plans between the two groups were compared and we analyzed patients with follow-up IUS visits to validate treatment plan decisions at initial evaluation. Results Out of 148 total patients with IUS, we found that 62.1% (N=92) of our patients had active disease and 37.9% (N=56) were in remission. UCAI and Mayo scores were both significantly correlated with IUS findings. The treatment plan was significantly correlated with IUS findings (p=0.004). At follow-up, we observed an overall decrease in intestinal thickening, improvements in vascular flow, and mural stratification. Conclusion Clinical decisions incorporating IUS findings effectively reduced inflammation in our IBD patients. IUS should be strongly considered by IBD clinicians in the United States for monitoring disease activity in IBD.

Background: Considerable research supports an important role for the microbiome and/or microbiome–host immune system interactions in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Consequently, microbiota-modulating interventions, such as fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), have attracted interest in the management of IBD, including ulcerative colitis (UC). Summary: While the clinical response to FMT in UC has varied between different studies, results to date may offer guidance towards optimal use of FMT. Thus, increased microbiome biodiversity, the presence of short-chain fatty acid producing bacteria, Clostridium Cluster IV and XIVa, Odoribacter splanchnicus and reduced levels of Caudovirales bacteriophages have been identified as characteristics of the donor microbiome that predict a positive response. However, inconsistency in FMT protocol between studies confounds their interpretation, so it is currently difficult to predict response and premature to recommend FMT, in general, as a treatment for UC. Additional randomized controlled trials designed based on previous findings and employing a standardized protocol are needed to define the role of FMT in the management of UC. Key Messages: There is a well-developed rationale for the use of microbiome-modulating interventions in UC. Despite variations in study protocol and limitations in study design that confound their interpretation, FMT seems to benefit patients with UC, overall. Available data identify factors predicting FMT response and should lead to the development of optimal FMT study protocols.

Background While no adverse developmental outcomes were observed in preclinical animal studies, limited data exist regarding effects of ustekinumab on human pregnancies. Previously, no data have been reported for women treated with ustekinumab in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) clinical trials and corresponding pregnancy outcomes. Here, we present pregnancy outcomes from IBD clinical trials, incorporating 5 years of treatment in Crohn’s disease (CD) and 2 in ulcerative colitis (UC). Methods All patients in the clinical trials agreed to use adequate birth control and were discontinued from treatment upon pregnancy confirmation. Nonetheless, 39 pregnancies occurred with maternal ustekinumab exposure from 4 CD and 1 UC study. Maternal and neonatal outcomes and data are presented with summary statistics, where available. Results Of 1289 women who received ≥1 dose of ustekinumab, 39 maternal pregnancies with outcomes were reported (pregnancy cohort). Median maternal age was 28.0 years and median duration of ustekinumab treatment before pregnancy was 63.7 weeks with the last dose of ustekinumab administered prior to or during the first trimester (terminal half-life of ~3 weeks). Outcomes for the 39 pregnancies were: 26 live births (all normal newborns), 8 spontaneous abortions, and 5 elective abortions. No congenital anomalies were reported among normal newborns and no safety signals emerged with neonatal outcomes. Conclusions Based on this series of 39 pregnancies with outcomes from IBD clinical trials, mothers treated with ustekinumab (limited to up to the first trimester) did not demonstrate a risk of negative outcomes. More data are needed to characterize the safety profile of ustekinumab use during pregnancy.

Several biologic therapies have been approved for enteric diseases. We evaluate each biologic's role based on their mechanism of action in treating these conditions. This review examines data on efficacy and safety, as well as considerations for using these therapies in clinical practice in inflammatory bowel diseases, enteric infections-specifically

Background Combining biologics and small molecules could potentially overcome the plateau of drug efficacy in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the safety and effectiveness of dual biologic therapy (DBT), or small molecule combined with a biologic therapy (SBT) in IBD patients. Methods We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Clinical trials.gov until November 3, 2020, including studies with 2 or more IBD patients on DBT or SBT. Main outcome was safety assessed as pooled rates of adverse events (AEs) and serious AEs (SAEs) for each combination. Effectiveness was reported as pooled rates of clinical, endoscopic, and/or radiographic response and remission. The certainty of evidence was rated according to the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) framework. Results Of the 3688 publications identified, 13 studies (1 clinical trial, 12 observational studies) involving 266 patients on 7 different combinations were included. Median number of prior biologics ranged from 0 to 4, and median duration of follow-up was 16–68 weeks. Most common DBT and SBT were vedolizumab (VDZ) with anti-tumor necrosis factor (aTNF, n = 56) or tofacitinib (Tofa, n = 57), respectively. Pooled rates of SAE for these were 9.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.5–21.4) for VDZ-aTNF and 1.0% (95% CI, 0.0–7.6) for Tofa-VDZ. The overall certainty of evidence was very low due to the observational nature of the studies, and very serious imprecision and inconsistency. Conclusions DBT or SBT appears to be generally safe and may be effective in IBD patients, but the evidence is very uncertain.

Chronic inflammatory diseases including human immunodeficiency virus infection, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus predispose to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a common chronic inflammatory condition, and the United States has the highest prevalence worldwide. IBD has so far been overlooked as a contributor to the burden of ASCVD among young and middle-age adults, but meta-analyses of cohort studies suggest that IBD is an independent risk factor for ASCVD. This review discusses the epidemiological links between IBD and ASCVD and potential mechanisms underlying these associations. ASCVD risk management of patients with IBD is challenging because of their young age and the inability of current risk scores to fully capture their increased risk. The role of IBD in current primary prevention guidelines is evaluated, and strategies for enhanced ASCVD risk reduction in patients with IBD are outlined. Finally, the authors discuss knowledge gaps and future research directions in this innovative field.

Inflammatory bowel diseases, most commonly categorized as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, are immune mediated chronic inflammatory disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. The etiopathogenesis is multifactorial with different environmental, genetic, immune mediated, and gut microbial factors playing important role. The current goals of therapy are to improve clinical symptoms, control inflammation, prevent complications, and improve quality of life. Different therapeutic agents, with their indications, mechanisms of action, and side effects are discussed in this chapter. Anti-integrin therapy, a newer therapeutic class, with its potential beneficial role in both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis is also mentioned. In the end, therapeutic algorithms for both diseases are reviewed.

The management of patients with chronic conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), requires specific attention and careful planning during the transition from pediatric to adult care. Early education about the transition process and the acquisition of self-management skills are crucial to fostering independent adolescents and young adults who have the knowledge and tools to manage life with a chronic disease. A growing body of literature describes the challenges and barriers to providing adolescent and transition care. Potential barriers to effective transition include the following: differences between adult- and pediatric-onset IBD; patients’ lack of developmental maturity and readiness, self-efficacy, and knowledge of the disease; poor adherence to therapy; adolescent anxiety and depression; differences between pediatric and adult IBD care; and parental and provider reluctance to transition. Despite our ability to identify barriers and challenges, there remain significant gaps in our knowledge about how they should be addressed. Outcomes data on adolescents with IBD are limited, and there are even fewer data on how the transition of care affects long-term treatment and outcomes. More research is needed to truly understand the best way to facilitate care during transition and improve outcomes. Current research and transition guidelines acknowledge that providing support and guidance to patients and their families and establishing clear goals can ultimately equip patients with the skills needed to cope with a chronic disease as adults and can improve their long-term care. This paper provides an overview of the transition from pediatric to adult IBD care, a discussion of challenges and barriers, and recommendations and resources that can help patients, parents, and providers navigate this important process.

Background Excessive and inappropriate immune responses are the hallmark of several autoimmune disorders, including the inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD): Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). A complex etiology involving both environmental and genetic factors influences IBD pathogenesis. The role of microRNAs (miRNAs), noncoding RNAs involved in regulating numerous biological processes, to IBD pathology, in terms of initiation and progression, remains ill-defined. In the present study, we evaluated the relationship between colon, peripheral blood, and saliva whole miRNome expression in IBD patients and non-inflammatory bowel disease (non-IBD) controls to identify miRNAs that could discriminate CD from UC. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to validate and assess miRNA expression. Results Microarray analysis demonstrated that upwards of twenty six miRNAs were changed in CD and UC colon biopsies relative to the non-IBD controls. CD was associated with the differential expression of 10 miRNAs while UC was associated with 6 miRNAs in matched colon tissues. CD was associated with altered expression of 6 miRNAs while UC was associated with 9 miRNAs in whole blood. Expression of miR-101 in CD patients and miR-21, miR-31, miR-142-3p, and miR-142-5p in UC patients were altered in saliva. Conclusions Our results suggest that there is specific miRNA expression patterns associated with UC versus CD in three separate tissue/body fluids (colon, blood, and saliva). Further, the aberrant miRNA expression profiles indicate that miRNAs may be contributory to IBD pathogenesis, or at least reflect the underlying inflammation. Scrutinizing miRNA expression in saliva and blood samples may be beneficial in monitoring or diagnosing disease in IBD patients. A panel of miRNAs (miR-19a, miR-21, miR-31, miR-101, miR-146a, and miR-375) may be used as markers to identify and discriminate between CD and UC. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12865-015-0069-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is complicated and is based on a combination of patient history and physical examination in association with laboratory, endoscopic, histologic, and radiographic investigations. Determination of the correct diagnosis is important for its implications in selecting treatment and in the timing and type of surgery that may be required. Information from testing incorporating serologic, genetic, and inflammatory markers can help to clarify the clinical picture. Measurement of biomarkers not only helps to differentiate a diagnosis of IBD versus non-IBD, it can also help to distinguish between ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease in difficult cases. In this monograph, 5 cases illustrate how specialized testing can provide important information that can aid in diagnosis.