[Constant evolution of key concepts in inflammatory bowel disease. Some perspectives from Digestive Disease Week...

A large number of new studies on all the concepts of inflammatory bowel disease were presented at Digestive Disease Week 2011, showing a rapidly changing scenario. Although therapeutic trials usually receive the lion's share of attention, the changes in definitions and diagnostic processes were, if anything, more striking. Genetic studies are starting to define new subgroups of patients. More and more data show that traditional clinical evaluation is insufficient to assess patients' real status. Both objective indexes of disease activity (biomarkers, imaging techniques, quantification and validation of indexes) and new perspectives are required. These new perspectives include gaining greater insight into the economic, personal and social consequences of the disease, as well as assessing other issues such as the risks of other diseases, which are sometimes the direct consequence of treatments.