Disease Monitoring in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Evolving Principles and Possibilities

Gastroenterology. 2022 Apr;162(5):1456-1475.e1. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2022.01.024. Epub 2022 Jan 29.

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel disease is a progressive and debilitating condition. Early and effective treatment using a treat-to-target approach is key to improving patient outcomes. Therefore, proactive monitoring is essential to ensure that treatment strategies are working and targets are being met. In this review we discuss the current monitoring tools available to us and how they can be used. We also discuss the importance of monitoring during key phases of the disease and propose an optimum treat-to-target monitoring strategy for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Regarding the advent of new technology, we discuss how this may improve our monitoring capabilities and how we envisage future monitoring strategies of inflammatory bowel diseases.

Keywords: Biomarkers; Disease Monitoring; IBD.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Chronic Disease
  • Colitis, Ulcerative* / diagnosis
  • Colitis, Ulcerative* / drug therapy
  • Crohn Disease* / diagnosis
  • Crohn Disease* / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases* / diagnosis
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases* / therapy
  • Treatment Outcome