Influence of comorbidities on treatment considerations for first-line biologic prescribing in patients with inflammatory bowel disease in the UK.

Background: Anti-tumour necrosis factor (anti-TNF) therapies are the most commonly used biologics for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but for patients with a comorbidity, newer agents may be a more appropriate treatment choice.

Aims: To investigate the impact of comorbidities in patients with IBD, on first-line biologic prescribing habits of IBD-specialist healthcare practitioners in the UK.

Methods: IBD-specialist physicians and nurses were asked to answer an online survey, considering different prescribing scenarios in ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD).

Improving bowel preparation for colonoscopy in a cost effective manner.

Colonoscopy is a key investigation used to exclude large bowel pathologies including surveillance for CRC (Colorectal cancer) Poor bowel preparation (bowel prep) is one of the most important factors affecting its diagnostic yield. Different formulations of bowel prep are currently in use depending upon patient tolerance, indication & co-morbidities. In University Hospital Llandough we retrospectively reviewed the outcome of colonoscopies performed over period of 3 months, in relation to the type and outcome of bowel preparations used.