Polypharmacy is a risk factor for disease flare in adult patients with ulcerative colitis: a retrospective cohort study.

Background/aims: Polypharmacy is a common clinical problem with chronic diseases that can be associated with adverse patient outcomes. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence and patient-specific characteristics associated with polypharmacy in an ulcerative colitis (UC) population and to assess the impact of polypharmacy on disease outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients with UC who visited a tertiary medical center outpatient clinic between 2006 and 2011 was performed.

Opioid use and misuse in ulcerative colitis.

Background: Patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) may be exposed to opioids over their disease duration. The use of such medications carries significant risk, including intestinal dysmotility and potential for addiction. However, the rates of narcotic use and misuse in patients with UC have not been studied extensively.

Nonadherence to Biologic Therapies in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Background: Nonadherence to medications is common with patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aim of this study was to assess adherence to biologic medications prescribed for IBD and to identify risk factors for biologic nonadherence.

Methods: This was a single center retrospective cohort study investigating IBD patient adherence to biologic therapies over a 2-year period from September 2014 to September 2016.

Narcotic use and misuse in Crohn's disease.

Background: The rate of narcotic misuse in the inflammatory bowel disease population is not well studied. The primary aim of this study was to determine in Crohn's disease (CD) whether a concurrent functional gastrointestinal disorder (FGID) was associated with increased rates of chronic narcotic use. Second, we aimed to identify potential risk factors for narcotic misuse.