One Patient, Two Problems: Applying Short Bowel Syndrome Management Principles in Inflammatory Bowel Disease patients

Surgery for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) often results in alterations in gut function beyond the anatomical changes. While some patients develop short bowel syndrome (SBS), a significant proportion of IBD patients benefit from pharmacologic and dietary interventions for SBS even in the absence of true SBS or IF.

While no formal criteria exist to clearly define the presence of SBS in IBD patients, the presence of specific features in the surgical and clinical history are crucial to the rapid identification of SBS or IF in IBD patients. Anatomy specific dietary considerations and interventions provide significant benefits and lay the foundation for a structured approach to optimizing anti-motility and adjunctive therapies. IBD patients with post-surgical anatomy benefit from management strategies used in patients in SBS. Optimal dosing of anti-motility agents and oral rehydration solution form the foundations of management in all practice settings.