Questionnaire Survey on the Current Status of Advanced Therapy for Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Asia

The incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), is increasing rapidly worldwide. Although multiple advanced therapies are now available, selecting the optimal treatment remains challenging due to the expanding options and diverse healthcare systems.

We conducted a questionnaire survey among physicians in nine Asian countries prior to the 18th International Gastrointestinal Consensus Symposium (IGICS) to assess the current status of advanced therapies for IBD. The survey included questions regarding therapeutic agent selection, biomarkers, and imaging modalities for monitoring.

Of the 210 respondents, 173 physicians treating IBD were analyzed. Anti-TNFα antibodies remain the most commonly selected advanced therapy for both UC and CD. Elderly patients with UC were more likely to receive anti-α4β7-integrin antibodies or anti-IL-12/23p40 monoclonal antibodies, reflecting safety considerations. Janus kinase inhibitors were used more frequently as a second-line option in severe cases. Comorbidities, drug costs, and lifestyle factors also influenced treatment choice. CRP is the most common biomarker used for monitoring, and endoscopy is the most frequently used imaging modality.

This questionnaire survey revealed the current status of advanced therapies for IBD in nine Asian countries and regions. Region-specific evidence-based algorithms for selecting advanced therapies for IBD should be established.