Health maintenance strategies in adults with inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract

The Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD) and associated immune-modulating pharmacotherapies are associated with an increased risk of avoidable complications, including vaccine-preventable opportunistic infections, cancers, osteoporosis, anxiety, and mental health disorders. The expanding therapeutic armamentarium requires a critical understanding of such complications and the preventative approaches required to reduce morbidity in these patients. Despite this, primary prevention strategies are often not prioritised in IBD patients.

This review aims to summarise appropriate health maintenance strategies, including appropriate pre-treatment infection screening and vaccination recommendations within the context of immunosuppression, and promotes timely screening for malignancies, osteoporosis, and psychological conditions. Clear communication, individualised action plans and cohesion between gastroenterologists and primary care physicians is crucial in optimising health maintenance in IBD patients.