Our newly updated guideline for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is now available, providing a comprehensive road map for evidence-based, expert management of both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

This guideline covers all the relevant updates on the diagnosis and management of IBD. We cover both the medical and surgical aspects of this disease as well as special conditions like; pregnancy in IBD, the treatment of extraintestinal manifestations, and drug monitoring.

Professor Gordon Moran, co-chair of the Guideline Development Group (GDG) says:

"This is a very important document. We have undertaken a very extensive evidence synthesis together with a network meta-analysis looking at the efficacy and safety of all therapeutic agents in the induction and maintenance of remission in Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. We have done our best to present the extensive findings in a friendly format that will be useful to the practicing gastroenterologist in the UK and abroad."

Professor Morris Gordon, co-chair of the GDG says:

"The team took on a very challenging task. This guideline follows the highest and most challenging international standards, whilst maintaining readability and ease of use for our stakeholders. The transparent presentation of the evidence that underpins recommendations encourages shared decision-making and nuanced consideration of the diverse options for care. We hope this will be of direct benefit to people with Crohn’s and colitis."

Dr Shahida Din, BSG IBD Section Chair says:

“We have co-produced a guideline with patients and clinical experts to reflect the current evidence on the diagnosis and management of patients with inflammatory bowel disease and an optimal multi-disciplinary IBD service. The new guidelines complement the IBD standards from IBDUK, a multi-stakeholder organisation working to improve IBD care in the United Kingdom. We will continue to advocate for patients and support for clinical services to deliver high quality care, training, and research.”

The guideline is available to read here.

Our guideline was developed using GRADE methodology to provide the most up to date recommendations and best practice statements. The process was overseen by the BSG Clinical Services and Standards Committee (CSSC). 

Our guidelines grow out of the collaborative efforts of many members and non-members, specialists and generalists, and people with lived experience of the topic being covered. 

All BSG guidelines are published in BMJ GUT under an open access licence and are available for free via the BSG website. 

If you’d like to find out more about our guidelines, please email the CSSC Support Officer, Lisa Moore, [email protected].