Characteristic morphologic changes in chronic ulcerative colitis

Drug Optimization in Patients with Mild-to-Moderate Ulcerative Colitis: A Global Survey

Background/Objectives: The treatment of patients with mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis (UC) is challenging. Although there are commonly used guidelines, therapy optimization is not standardized. We conducted a survey to investigate the management and treatment of patients with mild-to-moderate UC. Methods: Physicians with experience in treating inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) were invited to participate in an anonymous, multiple-choice survey between June and July 2023. The survey addressed various issues of patient care such as patient monitoring, treatment optimization, follow-up, treatment decision making, and therapy de-escalation. Results: The survey included 222 physicians (59.9% men; mean age = 50.4 years) from 66 countries worldwide. Gastroenterologists were the most represented specialists (89.6%), followed by surgeons (3.2%), and internal medicine doctors (2.7%). Two-thirds of the participants (66.7%) had >10 years of experience in the field of IBD. The combination of oral (≥4 g/day) and rectal 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) was the preferred choice when optimizing therapy. Budesonide MMX (41.8%) and systemic steroids (39.9%) were preferred in patients who failed 5-ASA. Treatment decisions were predominantly based on endoscopic (99.0%) or clinical (59.8%) activity. A significant percentage of clinicians did not optimize therapy in the case of increased fecal calprotectin alone (45.1%) or radiological/ultrasound activity (39.8%) alone. Conclusions: The guidelines for the management of mild-to-moderate UC are well accepted in clinical practice. Endoscopic remission remains the main therapeutic target, followed by clinical remission. Fecal calprotectin and intestinal ultrasound still elicit complaints from physicians.

Radiographic imaging of inflammatory bowel disease

Radiographic imaging studies have an important role in the workup of patients with suspected IBD and in the differentiation of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Because of its ability to depict fine mucosal detail, the double-contrast barium study is a valuable technique for diagnosing ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease even in patients with early disease. In contrast, cross-sectional imaging studies such as CT, MR, and ultrasound are useful for showing the effects of these conditions on the wall of the bowel and also for demonstrating intra-abdominal abscesses and other extraluminal findings in patients with more advanced disease. Thus, barium studies and cross-sectional imaging studies have complementary roles in the evaluation of these patients.