New Guidelines Enhance Diagnosis and Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Scientists and clinicians at the University of Nottingham have developed updated guidelines to improve the management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. These new recommendations aim to enable healthcare providers to diagnose and treat IBD more accurately, efficiently, and effectively.

The revised guidelines, published in the journal BMJ Gut, serve as an evidence-based roadmap for the diagnosis, medical, and surgical management of IBD. They address critical areas such as the management of special conditions like pregnancy, treatment of extraintestinal manifestations, and drug monitoring. Importantly, these guidelines introduce a top-down therapy approach for the first time, advocating for early use of the most effective drugs rather than escalating treatment based on patient response.

Commissioned by the British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG), the guidelines build upon the previous 2019 version and incorporate the latest research, including extensive evidence syntheses and network meta-analyses. Developed using the GRADE methodology, they offer clear, practical recommendations intended to assist clinicians both nationally and internationally.

Professor Gordon Moran of the University of Nottingham emphasized the importance of these guidelines, highlighting the comprehensive review of therapeutic agents for remission induction and maintenance in IBD. The collaboration involved experts, generalists, and patients, ensuring the guidance reflects current evidence and real-world needs.

These updates are part of a wider effort to streamline diagnostic pathways and promote high-quality, multidisciplinary care for IBD patients. The guidelines are expected to facilitate quicker, more precise diagnosis and optimal treatment strategies, ultimately improving patient outcomes and quality of life.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-06-guidance-inflammatory-bowel-disease-quicker.html