An Update for Pharmacologists on New Treatment Options for Inflammatory Bowel Disease: The Clinicians' Perspective.

The introduction of anti-tumor necrosis factor antibodies resulted in a considerable expansion of the options available for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. Unfortunately, approximately one third of treated patients do not respond to these modalities, and drug efficacy may be lost over time. These drugs are also associated with contraindications, adverse events, and intolerance. As such, there is an ongoing need for new therapeutic strategies. Despite several recent advances, including antibodies against pro-inflammatory cytokines and cell adhesion molecules, Janus kinase inhibitors, and modulators of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors, not all problems associated with IBD have been solved. In this manuscript, we review the current state of development of several new treatment options. Ongoing evaluation will require specific proof of efficacy as well as direct comparisons with established treatments. Results from head-to-head comparisons are needed to provide clinicians with critical information on how to formulate effective therapeutic approaches for each patient.

[A surgically relevant summary of the addendum to the S3 guidelines of the DGVS on Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis : Treatment of chronic inflammatory bowel diseases in the COVID-19 pandemic]. / Eine chirurgisch relevante Zusammenfassung des Addendums zu den DGVS-S3-Leitlinien Morbus Crohn und Colitis ulcerosa : Therapie chronisch entzündlicher Darmerkrankungen in der COVID-19-Pandemie.

In order to improve the care of patients with chronic inflammatory bowel diseases during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the currently valid guidelines of the German Society for Gastroenterology, Digestive and Metabolic Diseases (DGVS) on Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis were extended within a virtual conference to include current and practically relevant recommendations. The addendum addresses in particular the risk of COVID-19 infections in patients with chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, the diagnostics under the conditions of the pandemic, the consequences for the pharmacotherapy and operative treatment of the underlying disease. It also addresses general measures for protection against infections and for adjunctive treatment of patients with chronic inflammatory bowel diseases.

Self-assessment of treatment targets in patients with inflammatory bowel disease using a survey.

BACKGROUND: Physicians can improve their relationships with patients by understanding and meeting patients' treatment targets, leading to higher adherence to therapy and improved disease prognosis. In the current study, we performed a questionnaire-based survey to further understand treatment targets in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). METHODS: We created a questionnaire based on a point-allocation scale with 10 treatment target items. A total of 234 patients with IBD [Crohn's disease (n = 129) and ulcerative colitis (n = 105)] participated in three German IBD centers. Patients were asked to allocate a total of 10 points across the 10 items, with more points indicating more importance. RESULTS: The most important treatment targets for patients regarding their therapy were quality of life (2.78 points), control of defecation (1.53 points), and avoidance of IBD-related surgery (1.69 points). Avoiding surgery for IBD was less important in patients who had already undergone a surgical procedure than in those who had not (1.26 points versus 1.89 points, p < 0.001). Typical treatment targets, including mucosal healing (0.52 points) and normal biochemical markers (0.39 points), were not scored high by patients. The least important item was the possibility of all-oral therapy (0.19 points in 33 patients, 0 points in 201 patients). CONCLUSION: Treatment targets for patients were primarily related to quality of life, such as therapy side effects. Knowing these targets may improve patient-physician relationships and communication, and consequently, adherence to therapy.