AGA Clinical Practice Update on Pain Management in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Commentary

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Clinical Medicine
• Pain Management

Background:

• Pain is a frequent symptom in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients.
• Pain can persist even when intestinal inflammation is not active (quiescent).
• Gastroenterologists require guidance for managing pain in IBD patients without active inflammation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide expert guidance on evaluating, diagnosing, and treating pain in IBD patients.
• To address the clinical challenge of managing pain in the absence of active gut inflammation.
• To offer a practical approach for gastroenterologists dealing with quiescent IBD pain.

Main Methods:

• Expert commentary based on clinical experience and recent literature.
• Guidance developed through a Clinical Practice Updates Committee (CPUC) process.
• Internal and external peer review by gastroenterology experts.

Main Results:

• The commentary focuses on the evaluation of pain in IBD patients.
• Diagnostic strategies for IBD-associated pain are discussed.
• Treatment approaches for pain in quiescent IBD are outlined.

Conclusions:

• Effective management of pain in IBD is crucial, even without active inflammation.
• A structured approach to evaluation and treatment can improve patient outcomes.
• This guidance aids clinicians in addressing persistent pain in IBD patients.