Mycophenolate Mofetil Appears Effective for the Treatment of Patients With Refractory Crohn's Disease.

Background: Medically refractory Crohn's disease (CD) is associated with a high risk of complications. Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), a small molecule immunosuppressant, has limited data in patients with CD, and objective endoscopic response to MMF has not been reported.

Aims: We evaluated the safety and clinical, endoscopic, and biochemical effectiveness of off-label MMF for refractory CD as monotherapy or in combination with a biologic in patients with CD.

Multilevel Factors and Sleep in Adults With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Qualitative Study.

Background: This study aimed to describe the patient-reported factors that impact sleep among individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), aligning with the Social Ecological Model of Sleep. This addresses the gap in IBD sleep research, which predominantly focuses on individual-level factors and their impact on sleep.

Methods: Adults (ages 18-65) with IBD were recruited online through ResearchMatch in June 2023.

Gender and Sex Differences in Abdominal Pain, Fatigue, And Psychological Symptoms Among Adults with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Network Analysis.

Background And Aims: Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) experience a high symptom burden, including abdominal pain, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances; yet, little is known regarding the relationship between sex and gender on symptoms. We sought to report symptom severity for cisgender men, cisgender women, and transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) individuals. In addition, we used network analysis to identify core symptoms and explore if symptoms and their relationships differ between cisgender men and cisgender women.

Barriers to Engagement with Gastrointestinal Health Management.

Background: Although behavioral interventions have been effective in gastrointestinal (GI) conditions, barriers exist in implementing these interventions into clinical practice. The majority of previously published studies have focused on workforce limitations and have not considered individual and social determinants of health (SDoH) factors that can impact engagement in GI behavioral healthcare.

Aims: To characterize barriers to engagement in appointment attendance and health management, explore individual and SDoH factors impacting GI behavioral healthcare engagement, and identify barriers that occur more often for patients with SDoH-related vulnerability (low health literacy and/or financial insecurity).

Genetic Variations in TrkB.T1 Isoform and Their Association With Somatic and Psychological Symptoms in Individuals With IBS.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a disorder of gut-brain interaction, is often comorbid with somatic pain and psychological disorders. Dysregulated signaling of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor, tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB), has been implicated in somatic-psychological symptoms in individuals with IBS. We investigated the association of 10 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the regulatory 3' untranslated region of neurotrophic receptor tyrosine kinase-2 (NTRK2) kinase domain-deficient truncated isoform (TrkB.

Formative Evaluation of a Comprehensive Self-Management Intervention for Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Comorbid Anxiety, and Depression: Mixed Methods Study.

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder of the gut-brain interaction that is associated with abdominal pain, altered bowel patterns, and reduced quality of life. Up to 50% of patients with IBS also report anxiety or depressive symptoms. Although effective self-management interventions exist for individuals with IBS, few have been effectively implemented, and most do not consider the unique needs of patients with comorbid IBS and anxiety or depression.

Relationship of Sleep Health and Endoscopic Disease Activity in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Endoscopic Disease Activity and Sleep.

Among adults with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), self-reported sleep disturbances are associated with active symptoms, but the association between sleep measures and endoscopic disease activity is unknown. This study aimed to (1) compare sleep-wake behaviors among IBD patients based on endoscopic and clinical disease activity and (2) describe associations between actigraphy, self-reported sleep measures, and symptoms of fatigue, anxiety, and depression. Participants wore a wrist actigraph for 10 consecutive days and completed self-reported sleep questionnaires (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index [PSQI] and Patient-Reported Outcome Measures System [PROMIS] Sleep Disturbance and Sleep Interference questionnaires).

Age Differences in Upper Gastrointestinal Symptoms and Vagal Modulation in Women With Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Background/aims: Patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) often report upper gastrointestinal (GI) (e.g., nausea and heartburn), somatic, and emotional symptoms.

A Comprehensive Self-Management Intervention for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (CSM-IBD): Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Despite pharmacological treatment, individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) experience a variety of symptoms, including abdominal pain, fatigue, anxiety, and depression. Few nonmedical self-management interventions are available for people with IBD. A validated comprehensive self-management (CSM) intervention is effective for patients with irritable bowel syndrome who can have symptoms similar to those of individuals with IBD.

Age Differences in Core Symptoms and Symptom Relationships in Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Network Analysis.

Introduction: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder of gut-brain interaction, characterized by symptoms of abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits. It often co-occurs with extraintestinal somatic and psychological symptoms. However, the nature of the interrelationships among these symptoms is unclear.

Case Series: Re-induction of Intravenous, Weight-Based Ustekinumab Is Well Tolerated in Patients With Moderate-Severe Crohn's Disease.

Background: Crohn's disease (CD) patients may benefit from biologic optimization.

Methods: We retrospectively assessed adverse events (AEs) and clinical/endoscopic response after ustekinumab re-induction in CD patients.

Results: We identified 28 patients, all with prior biologic exposure.

Systematic review: Individual-level factors and social determinants of health impacting sleep health in individuals with inflammatory bowel disease.

Aim: To examine the individual-level factors and social determinants of health (SDOH) linked to sleep health among individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Design: Systematic review without meta-analysis.

Data Sources: Four databases (PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL and PsycINFO) were searched in February 2022.

Exploring the Role of Vitamin D and the Gut Microbiome: A Cross-Sectional Study of Individuals with Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Healthy Controls.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder of gut-brain interaction with multifaceted pathophysiology. Prior studies have demonstrated higher rates of vitamin D deficiency in individuals with IBS compared to healthy controls (HC), as well as associations of vitamin D concentration with IBS symptoms. A systematic review of 10 mouse and 14 human studies reported a positive association between vitamin D (serum levels and supplementation) and beta diversity of gut microbiome in a variety of conditions.

Symptom management needs of patients with irritable bowel syndrome and concurrent anxiety and/or depression: A qualitative study.

Aims: To understand the experiences and needs of symptom management among individuals with irritable bowel syndrome and concurrent symptoms of anxiety and/or depression.

Design: This study used a qualitative descriptive research design.

Methods: Individuals with a diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome and concurrent symptoms of anxiety and/or depression participated were recruited through an online ResearchMatch and a listserv.

Concordance and Discordance Between Patient-reported Remission, Patient-reported Outcomes, and Physician Global Assessment.

Background: Although validated patient-reported outcome (PRO) measurements can categorize patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) into clinical remission or active disease, patients may have different definitions of remission. The purpose of this study was to compare patient-defined remission to remission based on PRO measures and physician global assessment (PGA) and to understand the clinical and demographic factors associated with disagreements.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 3257 de-identified surveys from 2004 IBD patients who consented to participate in the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation's IBD Qorus Learning Health System between September 2019 and February 2021.

Changes in Medicare Reimbursement for Common Gastroenterology Services Over 15 Years: 2007-2022.

Introduction: We evaluated trends in Medicare reimbursement for common gastrointestinal (GI) services from 2007 to 2022.

Methods: Top GI procedures and office/inpatient visits were identified. The Physician Fee Schedule Look-Up Tool from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services was queried to extract reimbursement data.

Delivery Methods of Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most commonly diagnosed gastrointestinal disorder and negatively impacts individuals' quality of life. Cognitive behavioral therapy appears effective for reducing symptoms in many irritable bowel syndrome patients. However, the optimal methods to deliver cognitive behavioral therapy and the effective treatment dosage for patients with IBS remain unclear.

Tofacitinib Appears Well Tolerated and Effective for the Treatment of Patients with Refractory Crohn's Disease.

Background: Active Crohn's disease increases the risk of strictures, fistulas, and abscesses. Less than 30% of patients with Crohn's disease achieve endoscopic remission on any therapy. Tofacitinib may be a therapeutic option for patients with refractory Crohn's disease.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-Based Comprehensive Self-Management Program Improves Presenteeism in Persons with Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Secondary Data Analysis.

Individuals with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are more likely to miss work (absenteeism), have reduced work effectiveness (presenteeism) and experience activity impairment. This study compared the effect of a comprehensive self-management (CSM) intervention program (incorporating cognitive behavioral therapy, diet education and relaxation) versus usual care on work- and activity-impairments in adults with IBS. This secondary data analysis used daily diaries and Work Productivity and Activity Impairment in Irritable Bowel Syndrome (WPAI-IBS) questionnaire data collected at baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months post-randomization from 160 adults with IBS.

Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Symptoms and Irritable Bowel Syndrome Among Individuals With Symptomatic Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.

Goals: Our aim was to describe the prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and other gastrointestinal symptoms in a sample of veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and to examine the relationship between gastrointestinal symptoms, PTSD severity, depression severity, and number of prior traumatic events reported.

Background: IBS and PTSD can co-occur; yet, little research has focused on describing the gastrointestinal symptoms and prevalence of IBS among veterans with PTSD.

Materials And Methods: We examined baseline data from a randomized clinical trial of behavioral interventions for veterans with PTSD.