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Optimizing the safety of biologic therapy for IBD

Shanika de Silva1, Shane Devlin, Remo Panaccione

  • 1Inflammatory Bowel Disease Clinic, University of Calgary, Room 6D30, Teaching, Research, and Wellness (TRW) Building, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada.

Nature Reviews. Gastroenterology & Hepatology
|February 6, 2010
PubMed

The introduction of biologic therapy for the treatment of IBD has substantially changed its management. The safety concerns associated with biologic therapies include the increased risk of infection, autoimmunity, development of lymphoma and demyelinating disease, and the risk of worsening heart failure. There are several strategies for minimizing the risks associated with biologic therapies. Pretreatment strategies include taking a proper history from the patient, physical examination of the patient, screening for latent tuberculosis and ruling out sepsis. Vaccination of patients against vaccine preventable diseases is also recommended. During treatment, patients should be closely monitored and any symptoms that develop should be dealt with early. Education of physicians and patients is also important to allow the early detection of any adverse events.

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