Preventive Care in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic disorder that influences many aspects of a patient’s life. The medical treatment of the affected patient has been broadly investigated. Studies have shown that most physicians are familiar with treatment options, but they are not aware of proper preventive care for their patients. As most patients consider their gastroenterologists as their primary care provider, it is essential for gastroenterologists to inform the primary care providers of the unique needs of the patients with IBD, especially those receiving immunomodulators and biologics or are considered for such treatments. As most patients with are treated with long-term immune-suppressive drugs, and these drugs predispose the patients to many infectious diseases and cancers, it is important for primary care providers to document patients’ vaccination history comprehensively and screen for the cancers that these patients are encountered with, so that many of these disorders be prevented. Identification, safety, and proper timing of vaccinations, screening for cervical cancer, melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers, osteoporosis, identification of depression and anxiety, smoking cessation, and care during traveling and flights are issues that will be discussed in this systemic review.