Inflammatory Bowel Disease

A survey of the current state of training in inflammatory disease (IBD) surgery in the United Kingdom (UK) (2025)

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Conference abstract

Author(s):

Argyriou O.; *El-Sayed C.; Drami I.; Celentano V.; Reza L.

Citation:

Colorectal Disease. Conference: 20th Scientific and Annual Conference of the European Society of Coloproctology, ESCP 2025. Paris France. 27(Supplement 1) (no pagination), 2025. Date of Publication: 01 Aug 2025.

Abstract:

Aim: Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) surgery demands advanced technical skills due to the complexity and variability of procedures. High-quality training is essential, not only for the management of acute IBD-related emergencies but also for the development of a specialist IBD practice. This survey, developed by the Dukes' Club for UK colorectal surgery trainees and the IBD Subcommittee of the Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland (ACPGBI), aims to evaluate the current state of IBD surgical training in the UK and to identify key areas and potential interventions for improvement. Method(s): An electronic survey was designed by members of the Dukes' Club executive committee and the ACPGBI IBD subcommittee, followed by dissemination via various professional networks, between September 2024 and April 2025.The survey investigated a number of key domains, including exposure to IBD procedures (routine/complex), participation in multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings and joint surgical-gastroenterological clinics, career and fellowship intentions, as well as access to training resources. Result(s): The survey was completed by 103 participants (70% in training, 30% early years consultants).Senior trainees (ST6-ST8) represented 58.4% of the trainee participants.58.4% of trainees reported lack of exposure to IBD MDTs, with only 5.6% undertaking an active role in the MDT.Trainees reported minimal exposure to ileoanal pouch surgery and complex procedures such as strictureplasties and Kono-S anastomosis. In contrast, higher levels of exposure were noted for subtotal colectomies, ileo-caecal resections for Crohn's Disease, and IBD-related perianal fistula procedures. Conclusion(s): The survey demonstrated a lack of focus in IBD surgical training. Apart from high-quality educational activities that are delivered by the Dukes' Club and ACPGBI, a structured approach to ensure better exposure, through the training curriculum, is called for.

DOI: 10.1111/codi.70174

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Acute management of severe inflammatory bowel disease: a clinical audit for quality improvement (2025)

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Type of publication:

Conference abstract

Author(s):

*Baumert A.; *Cheetham M.

Citation:

Colorectal Disease. Conference: Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland Annual Meeting. Harrogate United Kingdom. 27(Supplement 2) (no pagination), 2025. Date of Publication: 01 Sep 2025.

Abstract:

National guidelines for the acute management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have been developed to advise clinicians on first-line investigations and optimal treatment pathways. Clinical audits are vital at a trust level for identifying gaps in these pathways and creating opportunities to implement positive change. For this project, a retrospective review was carried out on patients who underwent an emergency subtotal colectomy following admission with acute severe ulcerative colitis. Surgical patients were identified via a histopathology database and elective surgeries excluded. Key points throughout each admission were audited against national standards outlined in IBD UK and the BMJ (Lamb et al, 2019). This project specifically collected data on initial investigations (stool cultures and sigmoidoscopy), medical management (steroids and biologics) and surgical intervention (first contact with surgeons and timeframe until surgery). This audit primarily identified inconsistencies in organising investigations: 37.5% of patients did not have stool cultures recorded, and sigmoidoscopy was often delayed, occurring on average 5 days post-admission. Following the results of this audit, implementations have been suggested to create a more standardised approach for initial investigations of acute flares of ulcerative colitis. Guidelines have been made more accessible, alongside informative resources explaining why these investigations are necessary. Finally, while all patients ultimately underwent surgery within an acceptable timeframe, further education has been proposed to develop a clear pathway for appropriate surgical review. We hope that easy visualisation of the IBD treatment pathway can remind clinicians when to re-assess and escalate treatment accordingly.

DOI: 10.1111/codi.70177

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VEST: The UK vedolizumab real life experience study in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (2024)

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Type of publication:

Conference abstract

Author(s):

Bodger K.; Booker C.; Kok K.; Lobo A.; Ahmad T.; Bloom S.; *Butterworth J.; Irving P.; Cummings F.

Citation:

Journal of Crohn's and Colitis. Conference: 19th Congress of the European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation, ECCO 2024. Stockholm Sweden. 18(Supplement 1) (pp i1775-i1777), 2024. Date of Publication: January 2024.

Abstract:

Background: The characteristics and outcomes of patients treated with vedolizumab in routine healthcare settings have not been widely evaluated in the UK. Method(s): Prospective, multicentre observational study of 364 patients started on vedolizumab in UK practice from January 2017 until February 2019 using the UK IBD Registry clinical web-based tool. For the present analysis, the primary outcome was drug survival (persistence) at 1-year, defined as attendance for infusion >=48 weeks after the first dose. Secondary outcomes were: Clinical remission (CR, based on partial Mayo score [<=1] or Harvey Bradshaw index [<=4]), physician global assessment (PGA), IBD-Control Questionnaire (IBD-Control-8, IBD-Control-VAS and individual item scores), laboratory parameters and adverse events. Result(s): Age (mean): 44 yrs; Males: 48%; IBD duration (mean): 6 yrs; Prev. resection: 18%; Steroids at baseline: 39%; Outcomes are summarized in Table 1. 37% of CD patients were assessed as being in clinical remission at baseline. Overall, 210 (58%) continued treatment beyond 48 weeks. At 1 year, 67.1% and 52.3% of CD and UC patients were in clinical remission with a clear improvement in QoL as assessed by IBD-Control -8. There were significant improvements across each IBD-Control-8 domain, including fatigue, with few patients considering switching treatment at that point (Figure 1). Conclusion(s): Vedolizumab was effective in clinical practice with 58% of patients remaining on treatment at one-year. Baseline status differed significantly from those recruited into RCTs. Patient reported outcomes demonstrated significant and meaningful improvements across physical, psychological, social and treatment domains.

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Rectal mucus protein collection using the OricolTM sampling device: Comparison of calprotectin levels in stool and rectal mucus in patients with suspected or confirmed inflammatory bowel disease (Oricol-EGI- 01 Study) (2022)

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Type of publication:
Conference abstract

Author(s):
*Jones, G.

Citation:
Colorectal Disease. Conference: Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland Annual Meeting. Edinburgh United Kingdom. 24(Supplement 2) (pp 58), 2022. Date of Publication: September 2022.

Abstract:
Background: Faecal calprotectin testing is recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to distinguish between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) after cancer exclusion. Many patients do not produce faecal samples as requested and therefore a direct collection technique may have a role in IBD diagnosis or monitoring. We compared the performance of faecal and rectal mucus calprotectin collected with the OriColTM sampling device Methods: Sixty-six patients with confirmed or suspected IBD were recruited in the Oricol-EGI- 01 Study. OriColTM and matched stool samples were collected and processed following standard operating procedures. Calprotectin concentrations were measured using IDK Calprotectin and fCAL assays Results: Calprotectin was detectable in the OriColTM samples with good discrimination across the calprotectin assays and discernible correlation to corresponding faecal calprotectin concentrations Using thresholds determined for rectal mucus calprotectin (calculated by linear regression), the percentage agreement between calprotectin concentrations in stool and rectal mucus for patients with faecal calprotectin >=50 mug/g was between 68% and 91% with a percentage agreement at <50 mug/g between 40% and 71% with IDK Calprotectin and fCAL assays respectively. Good agreement was observed for IBD patients with the results being above the threshold for both faecal and rectal mucus calprotectin with 93% and 86% for IDK Calprotectin and fCAL assays respectively Conclusion(s): The OriColTM Calprotectin Kit was successfully used to collect rectal mucus and measure calprotectin concentrations with positive correlation to corresponding faecal calprotectin and is potentially a new and acceptable modality in IBD patients.

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Antibody decay, T cell immunity and breakthrough infections following two SARS-CoV-2 vaccine doses in inflammatory bowel disease patients treated with infliximab and vedolizumab (2022)

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Type of publication:Journal article

Author(s):Lin S.; Kennedy N.A.; Saifuddin A.; Sandoval D.M.; Reynolds C.J.; Seoane R.C.; Kottoor S.H.; Pieper F.P.; Lin K.-M.; Butler D.K.; Chanchlani N.; Nice R.; Chee D.; Bewshea C.; Janjua M.; McDonald T.J.; Sebastian S.; Alexander J.L.; Constable L.; Lee J.C.; Murray C.D.; Hart A.L.; Irving P.M.; Jones G.-R.; Lees C.W.; Altmann D.M.; Boyton R.J.; Goodhand J.R.; Powell N.; Kok K.B.; Bokth F.; Cipriano B.; Francia C.; Khalid N.; Khatun H.; Kingston A.; Lee I.; Lehmann A.; Naik K.; Pabriaga E.; Plaatjies N.; Samuels K.; Saich R.; Cousins H.; Thomas R.; Brown M.; White B.; Tilley B.; Muhammed R.; Bi R.; Cotter C.; Grove J.; Hong K.; Howman R.; Clayton S.; Sultan S.; Rooney M.; Cottrill C.; Singh S.; Dawe C.; Hull R.; Silva N.; Manning J.; Finlayson L.; Roebuck A.; Dawson J.; Sonwalkar S.; Chambers N.; Robinson M.; Haigh A.; Matapure L.; Raine T.; Kapizioni C.; Strongili K.; Thompson T.; Ahmed M.; Kontos C.; Bourges C.; Barbutti I.; Gozzard M.E.; Hendy P.; Bull R.; Costa P.; Davey L.; Hannington H.; Nundlall K.; Martins C.; Avanzi L.; Carungcong J.; Barr S.; Appleby R.; Johnson E.; Phillis K.; Gascoyne R.; Crowder A.; Whileman A.; London I.; Grounds J.; Martin E.; Price J.; Cawley K.; Dhar A.; Brown E.; Cowton A.; Warner B.; Stuart C.; Lacey L.; de Silva S.; Allcock C.; Harvey P.; Jones L.; Cooke E.; Brooks J.; Baker P.; Beadle H.; Cruz C.; Potter D.; Collum J.; Masters F.; Kumar A.; Coetzee S.; Peiu M.; Icke B.; Raj M.; Gaynor E.; Chadokufa S.; Huggett B.; Meghari H.; El-Khouly S.; Kiparissi F.; Girshab W.; Claridge A.; Fowler E.; McCafferty L.; Christodoulides K.; Clifford A.; Dawson P.; Honap S.; Lim S.; Luber R.; Mahiouz K.; Meade S.; Reynolds R.; Stanton A.; Tripoli S.; Hare N.; Balachandran S.; North E.; North J.; Browne B.; Jameson E.; Siaw Y.H.; Manzano L.; Segal J.; Al-Bakir I.; Khakoo I.; Thoua N.; Davidson K.; Miah J.; Canclini L.; Hall A.; Hayes M.; Myers S.; Talbot A.; Turnbull J.; Whitehead E.; Stamp K.; Pattinson A.; Mathew V.; Sherris L.; Harvey A.; Hicks L.; Byrne T.-M.; Cabreros L.; Downing-Wood H.; Hunter S.; Prabhudev H.; Balarajah S.; Ibraheim H.; Torkizadeh M.; Lo J.W.; Liu Z.; Sutherland H.; Wilhelmsen E.; Mackintosh K.; Verma A.M.; Sebastian J.; Peerally M.F.; Raymode P.; Guerdette A.-M.; Kent A.; Choong L.M.; Pantaloni B.; Ravdas P.; Vadamalayan B.; Foley S.; Arnold B.; Heeley C.; Lovegrove W.; Sowton D.; Allsop L.; Gregory H.; Smith P.J.; Bretland G.; King S.; Lofthouse M.; Rigby L.; Subramanian S.; Tyrer D.; Martin K.; Probert C.; Kamperidis N.; Adedoyin T.; Baden M.; Chacko F.; Cicchetti M.; Saifuddin M.A.; Yesupatham P.; Gowda R.; Williams M.; Kemp K.; Akhand R.; Gray G.; John A.; John M.; Mohammed T.; Sathe D.; Jones N.; Soren J.; Sprakes M.; Burton J.; Kane P.; Lupton S.; Bartholomew J.; MacFaul G.; Scaletta D.; Siamia L.; Williams F.; Green C.; Ver Z.; Lamb C.A.; Doona M.; Hogg A.; Jeffrey L.; King A.; Speight R.A.; Doyle J.; Owen R.; Mowat C.; Rice D.; MacFarlane S.; MacLeod A.; Mohammed S.; Murray S.; Elliott A.; Morris M.A.; Coke L.; Hindle G.; Kolokouri E.; Wright C.; Lee C.; Ward N.; Dann A.; Lockett M.; Cranfield C.; Jennings L.; Srivastava A.; Ward L.; Jeynes N.; Ranga P.; Rajasekhar P.; Gallagher L.; Patterson L.; Ward J.; Basnett R.; Murphy J.; Parking L.; Lawson E.; Short S.; Devadason D.; Moran G.; Khan N.; Tarr L.; Olivia C.; Limdi J.; Goulden K.; Javed A.; McKenzie L.; Bhandari P.; Baker-Moffatt M.; Dash J.; Le Poidevin A.; Downe H.; Bombeo L.; Blackman H.; Wiles A.; Bloxham H.; Dias J.; Nadar E.; Curgenven H.; Macdonald J.; Finan S.; McMeeken F.; Mahmood M.; Shields S.; Seenan J.P.; DeSilva D.; Malkakorpi S.; Carson R.; Whiteoak S.; Edger-Earley K.; Vamplew L.; Ingram S.; Botfield S.; Hammonds F.; James C.; Ahmad T.; Aspinall G.; Hawkins S.; Marriott S.; Redstone C.; Windak H.; Adam A.-M.; Mabb H.; Murray C.; Diaba C.; Joseph F.; Pakou G.; Gleeson Y.; Berrill J.; Stroud N.; Pothecary C.; Roche L.; Turner K.; Deering L.; Israel L.; Baker E.; Cutler S.; Evans R.M.; Nash M.; Mallison G.; Roynon A.; Gordon J.; Levell E.; Zagalo S.; Fraser W.; Hoad I.; Kirkineziadis N.; Russell R.; Henderson P.; Millar M.; Fagbemi A.; Jennings F.; Mayor I.; Wilson J.; Alexakis C.; Michalak N.; Saunders J.; Burton H.; Cambridge V.; Clark T.; Ekblad C.; Hierons S.; Katebe J.; Saunsbury E.; Perry R.; Brookes M.; Davies K.; Green M.; Plumbe A.; Ormerod C.; Christensen H.; Keen A.; Ogor J.; Anthony A.; Newitt E.; Trim F.; Casey R.; Seymour K.; Fogden E.; Russell K.; Phillips A.; Abdulla M.; *Butterworth J.; *Adams C.; *Buckingham E.; *Childs D.; *Magness A.; *Stickley J.; *Motherwell N.; *Tonks L.; *Gibson H.; *Pajak S.; Thomas C.; Brinkworth E.; Connor L.; Cook A.; Rees T.; Harford R.; Wesley E.; Moss A.; Lucas J.; Lorimer C.; Oleary M.; Dixon M.; Ramadas A.; Tregonning J.; Okeke O.; Jackson W.; Koumoutsos I.; George V.; Kunhunny S.; Laverick S.; Anderson I.; Smith S.; Patel K.; Ali M.; Mhandu H.; Rana A.; Spears K.; Teixeira J.; Pollok R.; Mencias M.; Seaward A.; Sousa J.; Said N.; Soomaroo M.; Raspa V.; Tacouri A.; Reps N.; Martin R.; Selinger C.; Carbonell J.; Onovira F.; Quartey D.; L'Anson A.; Ashworth A.; Bailey J.; Dunn A.; Mahmood Z.; Campbell R.; Marsh L.; Rahman M.; Davies S.; Habibi R.; Jessup-Dunton E.; Joefield T.; Layug R.; Patel V.; Vere J.; Turner V.; Kilroy S.; Walker G.; Atkins S.; Growdon J.; McNeill C.; Cooney R.; Bennett L.; Bowlas L.; Shariff S.; Fraser A.; Punnette D.; Bishop-Hurman C.; Undrell E.; Belfield K.; Din S.; Addleton C.; Appleby M.; Brown J.; Holding K.; Hooper P.; deCaestecker J.; Watchorn O.; Hayward C.; Inniss S.; Pritchard L.; Rudge K.; Carney A.; Andreyev J.; Hayhurst C.; Lockwood C.; Osborne L.; Roper A.; Warner K.; Hindle J.; Watt C.; Szymiczek K.; Mehta S.; Bell J.; Blad W.; Whitley L.; Dhamaraj D.; Baker M.; Sivamurugan E.J.; Evans M.; Cummings F.; Harris C.; Jones A.; Krauze L.; Rahmany S.; Earl M.; Vowles J.; Torokwa A.; Petrova M.; Procter A.; Stanley J.; Silvamoniz C.; Bettey M.; Wahid A.; Morrison Z.; Thomas-Turner R.; Yendle L.; Muller J.; Mitchell M.; Kirkwood J.; Barnes A.; Chaudhary R.; Claridge M.; Ellis C.; Kemp C.; Tobi O.; Milton J.; Johnston E.; Oblak M.; Godden J.; Lees C.; Alexander D.; Covil K.; Derikx L.; Siakavellas S.; Baxter H.; Robertson S.; Smith L.; Poulose B.; Colemam A.; Balint M.; Rhys-Jones G.; Johns K.; Hughes R.; Phipps J.; Taylor A.; MacPhee C.; Brooks S.; Smith K.; Howard L.; Wood D.; Muddu A.; Barman L.; Mallinson J.; Neale T.; Ionita D.; Elliot K.; Turnball A.; Thomas I.; Andrews K.; Sutton J.; Jones C.M.; Roberts J.; Bishop J.

Citation:Nature Communications. 2022 Mar 16;13(1):1379

Abstract:Anti tumour necrosis factor (anti-TNF) drugs increase the risk of serious respiratory infection and impair protective immunity following pneumococcal and influenza vaccination. Here we report SARS-CoV-2 vaccine-induced immune responses and breakthrough infections in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, who are treated either with the anti-TNF antibody, infliximab, or with vedolizumab targeting a gut-specific anti-integrin that does not impair systemic immunity. Geometric mean [SD] anti-S RBD antibody concentrations are lower and half-lives shorter in patients treated with infliximab than vedolizumab, following two doses of BNT162b2 (566.7 U/mL [6.2] vs 4555.3 U/mL [5.4], p <0.0001; 26.8 days [95% CI 26.2 – 27.5] vs 47.6 days [45.5 – 49.8], p <0.0001); similar results are also observed with ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccination (184.7 U/mL [5.0] vs 784.0 U/mL [3.5], p <0.0001; 35.9 days [34.9 – 36.8] vs 58.0 days [55.0 – 61.3], p value < 0.0001). One fifth of patients fail to mount a T cell response in both treatment groups. Breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infections are more frequent (5.8% (201/3441) vs 3.9% (66/1682), p = 0.0039) in patients treated with infliximab than vedolizumab, and the risk of breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infection is predicted by peak anti-S RBD antibody concentration after two vaccine doses. Irrespective of the treatments, higher, more sustained antibody levels are observed in patients with a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection prior to vaccination. Our results thus suggest that adapted vaccination schedules may be required to induce immunity in at-risk, anti-TNF-treated patients.

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Are we doing enough to prevent colectomy in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients? A 5-year review of colectomy rates in Shropshire and Mid-Wales UK (2015-2019) (2022)

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Type of publication:Conference abstract

Author(s):*Javed A.; *Butterworth J.; *Townson G.

Citation:Journal of Crohn's and Colitis; Jan 2022; vol. 16

Abstract:Background: Colectomy for IBD significantly impacts the psycho-social aspects & quality of life.Method(s): Electronic records were retrospectively analysed for colectomy rates & parameters of interest.Result(s): 68 patients (Men 37:Women31), median age 30 years had colectomies. Annual colectomy rates remained constant;7 (2015), 20 (2016), 11 (2017) & (2018) each and 19 (2019). 28% had colectomy within 1 year of diagnosis and only 63% received a biologic agent. Over half, (54%)had emergency surgeries & 37% experienced infections, re-laparotomy and ileus (20% each).Conclusion(s): There is an opportunity to risk-stratify patients at diagnosis based on the risk factors (men, younger age, severe/extensive disease) to a top-down therapy & treat to target strategy to reduce colectomy rates. (Table Presented).

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A Complex Case of Adalimumab Induced Pleuropericarditis in a Patient with Underlying Ulcerative Colitis (2021)

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Type of publication:
Journal article

Author(s):
*Abbasi A, *Day S, Subahani M, *Townson G

Citation:
Asploro Journal of Biomedical and Clinical Case Reports, 2021 Jan; 4(1) p.16-21

Abstract:
Introduction: Adalimumab is an anti-tumour necrosis factor (anti-TNF) monoclonal antibody and an important part of the treatment regime for autoimmune conditions including inflammatory bowel disease. We present a case of adalimumab induced pleuropericarditis and discuss the diagnosis challenges we faced.
Case History: A 22-year-old male presented to the emergency department with 3 days history of headache, malaise, fever and right-sided chest pain. He was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis 8 months ago but failed to respond to mesalazine, requiring high dose steroids to induce disease remission. His mesalazine was stopped after 4 months and he was initiated on adalimumab 2 months prior to the current presentation. At presentation, he had a temperature of 38.7 °C (101.6 °F) but no other physical signs. His inflammatory markers were raised, and the chest x-ray was clear. He was started on empirical intravenous antibiotics on suspicion of the underlying infective process. On day 4 the patient developed a new pleural rub and crepitations on both lung bases. An urgent echocardiogram and computed tomography scan of the thorax abdomen and pelvis revealed pleural effusion and a 1.8 cm diameter pericardial effusion. Extensive investigation including virology screen, autoimmune screen and pleural fluid analysis were normal.
Diagnosis, Management and Outcome: This case was discussed in a multidisciplinary meeting. A diagnosis of pleuropericarditis secondary to adalimumab was made. Adalimumab and antibiotics were stopped, and he was started on a course of oral steroids. The patient responded well to the treatment and his symptoms resolved.
Conclusion: Rare drug toxicity should be part of differential diagnosis, especially in young patients with unusual presentation. An early multidisciplinary approach is crucial for a positive outcome. The patient should be actively involved in decision making to improve long term outcome.

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