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Management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Multidisciplinary Perspective

A special issue of Journal of Clinical Medicine (ISSN 2077-0383). This special issue belongs to the section "Gastroenterology & Hepatopancreatobiliary Medicine".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 March 2026) | Viewed by 5034

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Division of Gastroenterology, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC H3G 1A4, Canada
Interests: digestive disorders; inflammatory bowel disease; Crohn's disease; stress and disease; immune system
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Co-Guest Editor
Inflammatory Bowel Disease Clinic, Division of Gastroenterology, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC H3G1A4, Canada
Interests: digestive disorders; inflammatory bowel disease; stress management and chronic disease; integrative care; mindfulness; acceptance and commitment therapy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue focuses on the comprehensive management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, through a multidisciplinary approach. IBD is a chronic, complex immune-mediated disorder requiring collaboration among gastroenterologists, surgeons, dietitians, psychologists, and other healthcare providers. Despite significant advancements in biologic therapies, immunosuppressive treatments, and diagnostic tools, challenges persist in IBD management due to disease heterogeneity, the risk of long-term treatment side effects, and the impact on patients' psychological well-being and quality of life.

The core aim of this Special Issue is to address critical clinical challenges, including optimizing individualized treatment strategies, reducing flare-ups, preventing complications, and improving long-term patient outcomes. Research explores the integration of pharmacologic treatments, surgical interventions, nutritional management, and psychological support to provide a holistic approach to care. Multidisciplinary collaboration is essential to meet the diverse needs of patients, particularly in managing chronic disease, personalizing care, and providing patient education.

The scope of this Special Issue includes the latest advancements in drug therapy, surgical management, nutrition, and psychological interventions. It seeks to offer practical insights for clinicians, promote cross-disciplinary cooperation, and provide solutions to ongoing challenges in IBD management, ultimately improving treatment efficacy and patient quality of life.

Prof. Dr. Gary Edward Wild
Dr. Kimberly Carrière
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Clinical Medicine is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • inflammatory bowel disease management
  • Crohn's disease
  • ulcerative colitis
  • patient-centered care
  • multidisciplinary management
  • personalized treatment

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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22 pages, 606 KB  
Article
Preferences, Expectations and Management Satisfaction in IBD Patients: A Cross-Sectional Questionnaire-Based Study
by Maja Mejza, Anna Bajer, Laura Biskup, Alicja Duda, Julia Groszewska and Ewa Małecka-Wojciesko
J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(9), 3266; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15093266 - 24 Apr 2026
Viewed by 267
Abstract
Background: Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease are the most common forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), with increasing prevalence both globally and in Poland. Many aspects of a patients’ everyday functioning and treatment remain underexplored. Methods: This study recruited adult patients with IBD [...] Read more.
Background: Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease are the most common forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), with increasing prevalence both globally and in Poland. Many aspects of a patients’ everyday functioning and treatment remain underexplored. Methods: This study recruited adult patients with IBD hospitalized in the Department of Digestive Tract Diseases of the Medical University of Lodz, Poland. The data were collected between June and July 2025 using an author-developed questionnaire assessing patients’ opinions on therapy, their expectations, and overall life satisfaction. Results: A total of 87 patients with IBD were included in the analysis. Overall, 59 patients (67.82%) reported strong satisfaction with their current treatment, indicating a generally positive perception of disease management. Higher treatment satisfaction was associated with patients’ perception that their preferences were respected by the gastroenterologist. Further analysis revealed significant associations between different types of treatment, disease activity, and patient-reported outcomes. Those patients who were treated with biological agents more frequently reported complete satisfaction with the treatment (41/52 vs. 18/35; p = 0.014), low-to-moderate disease activity (42/52 vs. 19/35; p = 0.016), and fewer limitations in their social lives (16/52 vs. 20/35; p = 0.026) compared to the remaining group. Furthermore, the study demonstrated that those patients who reported remission were less likely to have their physical activity limited (27/55 vs. 27/32; p = 0.002). There were significantly more patients under 50 years of age than older patients getting biological therapy (48/74 vs. 4/13; p = 0.045). Additionally, women in the studied group had a higher rate of IBD-related surgical interventions compared to men (15/36 vs. 9/51; p = 0.026). Despite the high overall satisfaction with treatment and physician communication, 20 patients (22.99%) admitted to taking additional, non-prescribed medication or dietary supplements. Similarly, 21 (24.14%) patients modified treatment regimens by discontinuing the medication intake or changing the prescribed dose. Furthermore, 57 patients (65.52%) reported that they feared the possibility of surgical intervention. Nonetheless, the majority of patients who underwent surgical treatment (22/24; 91.67%) were satisfied with the results. Reported rates of undergoing regular colorectal cancer screening were also unsatisfactory—4/37 (10.81%) patients with disease duration > 8 years, suggesting inadequate awareness. Conclusions: Biological treatment can positively impact multiple aspects of patients’ lives by lowering the disease’s activity. Gastroenterologists should spend more time discussing patients’ preferences and concerns, as well as explaining the colorectal cancer screening rules. Full article
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16 pages, 586 KB  
Article
The Development of a Multidisciplinary Care Pathway for Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease Before, During and After Pregnancy
by Els De Dycker, Sien Lenie, Michael Ceulemans, Patricia Geens, Tessy Lambrechts, Elien Loddewijkx, Ariane Paps, Justien Degry, Caroline D’Hondt, Annelies Matthijs, Séverine Vermeire, João Sabino, Bram Verstockt, Lore Lannoo, Kristel Van Calsteren and Marc Ferrante
J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(8), 2644; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14082644 - 11 Apr 2025
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1611
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Recent advancements have significantly enhanced our understanding of the interplay between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and reproductive health. While international organizations provide guidelines for best practices, translating them into actionable strategies is crucial. This study aimed to develop a comprehensive care [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Recent advancements have significantly enhanced our understanding of the interplay between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and reproductive health. While international organizations provide guidelines for best practices, translating them into actionable strategies is crucial. This study aimed to develop a comprehensive care pathway to enhance preconception counselling and support for patients with IBD in the perinatal period, ensuring they receive optimal expert care. Methods: We used the 7-phase model for the development of the care pathway. Results: The resulting care pathway, structured as a time–task matrix, outlines the required actions at preconception, during pregnancy, and in the postpartum period for women with IBD. The pathway provides a structured and multidisciplinary approach that addresses the unique needs of patients with IBD of childbearing age. It emphasizes holistic and personalized support throughout the preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum period. Conclusions: The development of this care pathway represents a significant advancement in the perinatal management of IBD. By offering multidisciplinary and individualized care, optimal maternal and infant outcomes are pursued, while establishing a new global standard for reproductive health and perinatal management. Full article
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Review

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17 pages, 1225 KB  
Review
The Role of Biomarkers in Surveillance of Ulcerative Colitis-Associated Colorectal Cancer: A Scoping Review
by Justin Kritzinger, Gynter Kotrri, Peter L. Lakatos, Talat Bessissow and Gary Wild
J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(17), 5979; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14175979 - 24 Aug 2025
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2540
Abstract
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is associated with an elevated risk of colorectal cancer (CRC), driven by chronic inflammation and a distinct inflammation–dysplasia–carcinoma pathway. Conventional surveillance relies on colonoscopy and histologic assessment, but flat, multifocal dysplasia and sampling limitations challenge early detection. Tissue-based biomarkers offer [...] Read more.
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is associated with an elevated risk of colorectal cancer (CRC), driven by chronic inflammation and a distinct inflammation–dysplasia–carcinoma pathway. Conventional surveillance relies on colonoscopy and histologic assessment, but flat, multifocal dysplasia and sampling limitations challenge early detection. Tissue-based biomarkers offer promise in improving risk stratification and identifying patients at high risk for UC-associated CRC (UC-CRC). This review explores key categories of tissue biomarkers with potential clinical utility, including genetic mutations, epigenetic alterations, microRNA expression profiles, and markers of genomic instability such as telomere shortening, copy number variants, and aneuploidy. Many of these molecular alterations precede histologic dysplasia and reflect a “field effect,” suggesting their potential role in early cancer detection. Despite compelling associations between these biomarkers and neoplastic progression, most lack prospective validation and are not yet ready for routine clinical use. Future research should prioritize the development of integrated biomarker panels and validate their predictive accuracy in longitudinal UC cohorts. Molecular profiling may ultimately enable personalized, risk-adapted surveillance strategies that improve early detection while minimizing unnecessary interventions. Full article
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