COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Among Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases at a Diverse Safety Net Hospital.

Background And Aims: Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and underrepresented minorities (URMs) historically have below average vaccination rates. URMs have increased morbidity and mortality from COVID-19. We surveyed IBD patients to assess COVID vaccination attitudes, particularly among URMs.

Equal Opportunity: Women Representation on Editorial Boards and Authorship of Editorials in Gastroenterology and Hepatology Journals.

Introduction: The proportion of women editorial board members and authors of editorials in major gastroenterology journals is not known.

Methods: We determined the sex of editorial board members (n = 2,282) and authors of editorials (n = 1,705) across 6 journals from 1985 to 2020 at 5-year intervals.

Results: The proportion of women editorial board members increased from 2.

The Immunogenicity of the Influenza, Pneumococcal, and Hepatitis B Vaccines in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease Treated With Vedolizumab.

Background: Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have an elevated risk for infection which is further increased by immunosuppressive medications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of influenza, PVC13, PPSV23, and hepatitis B vaccines in adults with IBD treated with vedolizumab as compared to those treated with anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) agents or nonimmunosuppressive therapy.

Methods: In this prospective controlled trial, patients were vaccinated with the influenza, PVC13, PPSV23, and/or hepatitis B vaccines.

Safety of Recombinant Zoster Vaccine in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Background: Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at increased risk of developing herpes zoster. In October 2017, the FDA approved a two-dose adjuvanted, recombinant herpes zoster vaccine (RZV). There is a theoretical concern that vaccine adjuvants may cause flares in patients with immune-mediated diseases.

Vaccination and Health Maintenance Issues to Consider in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) do not receive routine preventive care at the same rate as the general population. IBD places patients at increased risk for developing vaccine-preventable illnesses. This risk is further exacerbated by immunosuppressive therapy.

Influenza and Pneumococcal Vaccination Rates in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at an increased risk for vaccine-preventable illnesses, such as pneumococcal pneumonia and influenza. We hypothesized that a patient-directed educational program would increase vaccination rates of patients with IBD. We developed a written educational form that was given to all patients over a 15-month period.

Preventative Care in the Patient with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: What Is New?

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) do not receive routine preventative care at the same rate as general medical patients. This patient population is at increased risk of vaccine preventable illness such as influenza and pneumococcal pneumonia. This review will discuss health maintenance needs and preventative care issues in patients with IBD.

Herpes Zoster Vaccine Response in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients on Low-dose Immunosuppression.

Background: Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) patients are at an increased risk of developing herpes zoster (HZ), especially when immunosuppressed. HZ may be preventable with the herpes zoster vaccine (HZV), but many patients are not offered vaccination over concern regarding efficacy and fear of adverse events. Although the Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that low-dose immunosuppression is not a contraindication, few IBD patients on these medications are receiving HZV.

Female authorship in major academic gastroenterology journals: a look over 20 years.

Background: Authorship in peer-reviewed medical journals is a marker for success in academic medicine.

Objective: To determine the representation of female physicians among authors of original research in U.S.

Vaccinating the inflammatory bowel disease patient.

Current therapeutic options for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) include several agents that can alter their immune response to infections. Effective vaccines exist and offer protection against a number of infectious diseases. However, recent data has shown that IBD patients are inadequately vaccinated and, as a result, at risk to develop certain preventable infections.

Immunization rates and vaccine beliefs among patients with inflammatory bowel disease: an opportunity for improvement.

Background: Immunosuppressive agents used to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can increase the risk for infections, several of which are preventable through vaccination. Our study aimed to describe vaccine utilization by immunosuppression status, examine reasons for vaccine refusal, and identify characteristics associated with lack of influenza vaccination in patients with IBD.

Methods: We administered an online survey between February 2012 and April 2012 to an internet-based cohort of patients with IBD in the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America Partners program.

Cost-effectiveness of nonmelanoma skin cancer screening in Crohn's disease patients.

Background: Several studies have demonstrated an increased risk of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, with the greatest risk in patients with Crohn's disease (CD). We investigated the cost-effectiveness of NMSC screening in patients with CD.

Methods: A mathematical model was used to compare lifetime costs, life expectancies, and benefits of NMSC screening in a hypothetical cohort of 100,000 patients with CD.

Efficacy and safety of natalizumab in Crohn's disease patients treated at 6 Boston academic hospitals.

Background: Despite trials demonstrating its efficacy, many physicians harbor concerns regarding the use of natalizumab in the treatment of patients with refractory Crohn's disease (CD). The purpose of this study was to perform a descriptive analysis of a series of CD patients not currently enrolled in a clinical trial.

Methods: A retrospective case review of patients treated with natalizumab at 6 sites in Massachusetts: Boston Medical Center, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Lahey Clinic, Massachusetts General Hospital, and UMass Medical Center.

Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a survey of prophylaxis patterns among gastroenterology providers.

Background: The use of combination immunosuppressive agents is associated with reports of pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (PJP). The aim of this study was to determine practice patterns among gastroenterology providers for PJP prophylaxis in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) on immunosuppressive therapy.

Methods: An internet-based survey of 14 questions was sent through e-mail to a random sampling of 4000 gastroenterologists, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants between November 2011 and February 2012.

Health maintenance in the inflammatory bowel disease patient.

Gastroenterologists are in a unique position to make very positive differences in the lives of their IBD patients. We understand that IBD patients do not receive preventive services at the same rate as general medical patients. Because these individuals are at increased risk for complications from preventable diseases, we have a valuable opportunity to protect this population (Table 1).

Adalimumab for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic, disabling condition with increasing prevalence throughout the world. Although the etiology of IBD is not well understood, it is characterized by a disproportionate inflammatory response in the gut that leads to tissue damage and clinical symptoms. Over the past decade, the development of biologic therapies that target the proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α in the inflammatory cascade has markedly revolutionized the treatment of IBD.

Targeting mucosal healing in Crohn's disease.

The goal of medical treatment for Crohn's disease includes improving patients' quality of life while reducing the need for hospitalization and surgery. The current medical armamentarium includes 5-aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, immunomodulators, and biologic agents. In the past, response to treatment was measured by clinical improvement in symptoms; however, with the advent of disease-modifying medications, mucosal healing has emerged as an increasingly important goal of therapy.

Vaccinating the inflammatory bowel disease patient: deficiencies in gastroenterologists knowledge.

Background: Current therapy for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients often involves agents that suppress the immune system, placing patients at an increased risk for developing infections, of which several are potentially vaccine preventable. Many IBD patients are not being vaccinated appropriately. The aims of this study were to assess gastroenterologist's knowledge regarding vaccinating the IBD patient, eliciting the barriers that prevent vaccinations, and defining the gastroenterologist's role in vaccinations.

Patient and Provider Preferences for Colorectal Cancer Screening: How Does CT Colonography Compare to Other Modalities?

Objectives: Patient and provider preferences toward CT colonography (CTC) remain unclear. The primary goals of this study were 1) to investigate patient preferences for one of the currently recommended CRC screening modalities and 2) to evaluate provider preferences before and after review of updated guidelines.

Methods: Cross-sectional survey of ambulatory-care patients and providers in the primary care setting.

A practical guide to vaccinating the inflammatory bowel disease patient.

The increasing use of corticosteroids, immune modulators, and biologics as a mainstay of therapy in certain Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis patients have placed these inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients at increased risk for a variety of infections, many of which are preventable by prior vaccination. This article provides a review of the issues surrounding immunizations in the IBD patient and a practical guide for clinicians regarding the appropriate vaccinations to administer both before and during immunosuppressive therapy.