Intestinal ultrasound informs management of IBD

(HealthDay)—Point-of-care (POC) intestinal ultrasound (IUS) affects clinical decision-making in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and could reduce the need for endoscopy or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), according to a study published online Oct. 12 in the Journal of Crohn's and Colitis.

Steven Bots, from the Amsterdam University Medical Center, and colleagues examined outcomes and impact on disease management of POC IUS in IBD patients from two patient cohorts (January 2016 to July 2018 and October 2019 to December 2019). A total of 345 examinations were performed (280 Crohn disease [CD] and 65 ulcerative colitis).

The researchers found that on IUS, present inflammation was comparable between symptomatic and asymptomatic CD (67.6 versus 60.5 percent). IUS had an impact on disease management in 60 percent of patients, with a change in medication for 47.8 percent. After 32.8 percent of examinations, additional endoscopy/MRI was planned; in 86.3 and 80.0 percent of cases, there was good correlation for IUS and endoscopy and MRI, respectively. In active versus inactive disease on IUS, fecal calprotectin was higher (664 versus 79 µg/g). IUS was performed more frequently for monitoring treatment response over the years, while MRI use was reduced within the cohort.

"In conclusion, POC IUS significantly impacts disease management in the follow-up of IBD patients and has the potential to reduce the need for additional endoscopy and MRI," the authors write. "Prospective studies are needed to study the optimal implementation and timing of POC IUS in close monitoring and treatment follow-up in daily clinical care."

Several authors disclosed financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry. Dr. Falk Pharma Benelux B.V. financially supported implementation of IUS at the study clinic.

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