Challenges in adherence to STRIDE-II: Perspectives from gastroenterologists and patients with inflammatory bowel...

The treatment aims to achieve symptomatic remission, normalization of biomarkers such a fecal calprotectin, and endoscopic remission. Therefore, early recognition of inflammatory activity and timely therapeutic intervention are essential to improve the morbidity and mortality.

Evaluate the adherence among gastroenterologists and the patients compliance with medical recommendations in the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Program at Clínica Universidad de los Andes PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study that included patients presenting with a flare confirmed by colonoscopy. Three follow-up stages were defined: Short-Term Control: symptomatic remission at 3months, Medium-Term Control: remission of fecal calprotectin as a biomarker (<250μg/g) between 4 and 6months, and Long-Term Control: endoscopic remission between 6 and 9months.

A total of 104 patients were evaluated, 64% of the cohort were females and a median age of 41years. Among them, 81% had Crohn's disease, with an inflammatory phenotype in 87% and colonic localization in 39%. The remaining 19% had ulcerative colitis with left-sided involvement in 50%. Ninety percent of the patients attended short term control with a symptomatic remission in 72%. Eighty-two percent attended medium term control, resulting in biomarker remission for 83% of them. Seventy seven percent attended long term control, achieving endoscopic remission in 59% of the cases.

The results indicate that our program achieves a physician adherence of over 90% to STRIDE-II, with patient's adherence to pharmacological therapy and follow up above 70%. Although these are high percentages, they are subject to improvement.