Update in inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a common disease in Australia and frequently encountered in primary care. Major developments in investigation and management have taken place.

This article aims to review some recent breakthroughs in IBD investigation and management.

Diagnosis involves a changing combination of enhanced traditional techniques with new diagnostic tools, typically blood and stool testing with improved endoscopy and new radiological tests. Management has seen the introduction of new powerful biologic therapies, greater understanding in the way we use older therapies, and a focus on preventing complications such as malignancy or infection. Treatment philosophy now attempts to alter the natural history of the disease and prevent long term complications. The importance of associated, previously overlooked factors is being increasingly recognised. Only by taking a long term, patient centred multidisciplinary approach will an optimal outlook for the majority of patients with IBD be achieved.