Inflammatory Bowel Disease top 10 priorities

The most important questions

  1. What is the optimal treatment strategy considering efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness (immunomodulators, biologics, surgery, combinations) in IBD management: selecting the right patient group, right stage of disease, and assessing potential for withdrawal?
  2. What are the optimal markers/ combinations of markers (clinical, endoscopic, imaging, genetics, other biomarkers) for stratification of patients with regards to a) disease course and b) monitoring disease activity and c) treatment response?
  3. What role does diet have in the management of mildly active or inactive ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s Disease to achieve normal daily activities and symptom control?
  4. How can pain be most effectively managed in people with IBD?
  5. What is an optimal treatment strategy for perianal Crohn’s Disease and what individual factors determine this?
  6. What is the best treatment for controlling diarrhoea and/or incontinence symptoms in people with IBD, including novel pharmacological and non-pharmacological options? Is high-dose Loperamide safe and effective in the treatment of diarrhoea in IBD?
  7. What is the optimal dietary therapy (liquid enteral diet and/or reintroduction diet) and duration to achieve mucosal healing in active IBD and/or remission either as a primary or adjunctive treatment? Is there a difference between adults and children?
  8. What is the association between IBD and fatigue and how should it be managed?
  9. Does early surgery or later surgery for terminal ileal Crohn’s disease result in better outcomes (quality of life, cost-effectiveness)?
  10. Does influencing the gut microbiota influence the course of IBD?