Background and aims IBD can impair the patients` functional capacity with significant negative effects on their quality of life. Our aim was to determine the impact of IBD diagnosis on fitness levels and to assess the levels of engagement in physical activity and fatigue in IBD patients` pre-and post-diagnosis. Methods A prospective multi-centre cross-sectional study was performed. Patients diagnosed with IBD in the previous 18 months were recruited. Inclusion criteria included clinical remission and/or no treatment changes within the previous 6 months. Physical exercise levels were assessed by the Godin score and fatigue levels was assessed by the Functional assessment of chronic illness therapy (FACIT) score. Results 158 patients (100 CD) were recruited. Mean age was 35.1 years (95% CI ±2.0). Gender distribution was approximately equal (51.3% male). The Mean Harvey Bradshaw and Simple Clinical Colitis Activity indices were 2.25 (95% CI ±0.40) and 1.64 (95% CI ±0.49). Mean Godin score difference before and after IBD diagnosis was 6.94 (p = 0.002). Patients with UC (41.8%) were more likely than patients with CD (23.0%) to reduce their exercise levels (p=0.04). FACIT scores were lower in patients who had experienced relapses (p=0.012) and had severe disease (p=0.011). Approximately 1/3 of patients had a reduction in their activity level post-IBD diagnosis. Conclusions Patients were significantly less physically active after a diagnosis of IBD and this was more apparent in UC. Identification of risk factors associated with loss of fitness levels would help address the reduced patients` quality of life.

Background Endoscopic-post-operative-recurrence (ePOR) in Crohn’s disease (CD) after ileocecal resection (ICR) is a major concern. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of early prophylaxis with biologics and to compare anti-TNF therapy to vedolizumab (VDZ) and ustekinumab (UST) in a real-world setting. Methods A retrospective multicenter study of CD-adults after curative ICR on early prophylaxis. ePOR was defined as a Rutgeerts score [RS]≥i2 or colonic-segmental-SES-CD≥6. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate risk factors, and inverse probability treatment weighting (IPTW) was applied to compare the effectiveness between agents. Results Included 297 patients (53.9% males, age at diagnosis 24y[19-32], age at ICR-34y[26-43], 18.5% smokers, 27.6% biologic-naïve, 65.7% anti-TNF experienced, 28.6%≥2 biologics, and 17.2% previous surgery). Overall, 224, 39 and 34 patients received anti-TNF, VDZ or UST, respectively. Patients treated with VDZ and UST were more biologic experienced with higher rates of previous surgery. ePOR rates within 1-year were: 41.8%. ePOR rates by treatment groups: anti-TNF 40.2%, VDZ 33% and UST 61.8%. Risk factors for ePOR at 1-year: past-infliximab (adj.OR=1.73[95%CI:1.01-2.97]), past-adalimumab (adj.OR=2.32[95% CI:1.35-4.01) and surgical aspects. After IPTW, the risk of ePOR within 1-year of VDZ vs. anti-TNF or UST vs. anti-TNF was comparable (OR=0.55[95%CI:0.25-1.19], OR=1.86[95%CI:0.79-4.38]), respectively. Conclusion Prevention of ePOR within 1-year after surgery was successful in ~60% of patients. Patients treated with VDZ or UST consisted of a more refractory group. After controlling for confounders, no differences in ePOR risk were seen between anti-TNF prophylaxis and other groups.

Background Chronic diseases, such as IBD, can lead to anxiety and depression which can have a significant impact on productivity at work (presenteeism). The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of depression/anxiety, presenteeism and exercise levels amongst IBD patients. Methods This was a multicentre study whereby adult IBD patients, in clinical remission, were asked to answer an anonymous questionnaire. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Score (HADS), Stanford Presenteeism Scale (SPS-6) and Godin exercise score were also collected. Results A total of 585 patients were recruited. The majority had Crohn’s disease (CD, 62.2%) and were male (53.0%), with a median age of 39 years (IQR 30-49). A psychiatric diagnosis was present in 10.8% of patients prior to their IBD diagnosis. A further 14.2% of patients were diagnosed post IBD diagnosis, this being commoner in CD patients (41.6% of CD, p<0.01). A raised HADS-anxiety or a HADS-depression score ≥8 was present in 46.1% of patients, with 27.4% having a score ≥11. Low presenteeism at work was present in 34.0%. Patients diagnosed with depression/anxiety had a more sedentary lifestyle (p<0.01), lower presenteeism at work (p<0.01) and a higher rate of unemployment (p<0.01). Conclusion A significant percentage of IBD patients in remission suffer from anxiety and/or depression. Risk factors for these are CD, female gender, use of biological medications, long-standing and perianal disease. Depression/anxiety was associated with a sedentary lifestyle, lower presenteeism at work and unemployment. The use of validated screening tools and appropriate referrals to psychologists and/or psychiatrists should be employed within IBD clinics.

Background Anemia is a common extraintestinal manifestation of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) affecting negatively the patients’ quality of life. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and real-life management of anemia in IBD patients in Greece. Methods This study was conducted in 17 Greek IBD referral centers. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, IBD and anemia treatment data were collected and analyzed retrospectively. Results A total of 1394 IBD patients [560 ulcerative colitis (UC), 834 Crohn’s disease (CD)] were enrolled. Anemia at any time was reported in 687 (49.3%) patients of whom 413 (29.6%) had episodic and 274 (19.7%) had recurrent/persistent anemia. Anemia was diagnosed before IBD in 45 (6.5%), along with IBD in 269 (39.2%) and after IBD in 373 (54.3%) patients. In the multivariate analysis the presence of extraintestinal manifestations (p = 0.0008), IBD duration (p = 0.026), IBD related surgeries and hospitalizations (p = 0.026 and p = 0.004 accordingly) were risk factors of recurrent/persistent anemia. Serum ferritin was measured in 839 (60.2%) IBD patients. Among anemic patients, 535 (77.9%) received treatment. Iron supplementation was administered in 485 (90.6%) patients, oral in 142 (29.3%) and intravenous in 393 (81%). Conclusions The frequency of anemia in IBD patients, followed at Greek referral centers, is approximately 50%. Development of recurrent/persistent anemia may be observed in 20% of cases and is independently associated with the presence of extraintestinal manifestations, IBD duration, IBD related surgeries and hospitalizations. Anemia treatment is administered in up to $$4/5$$ 4 / 5 of anemia IBD patients with the majority of them receiving iron intravenously.

been used in IBD for the last 20 years, and the first approved drug was infliximab (IFX). IFX has been established as an effective therapy from moderate to severe IBD, and it is used both as induction and maintenance treatment. 3 Anti-TNF agents are widely used in patients with IBD, both for the induction of remission and maintenance treatment. Sometimes it is necessary to use intensified regimens of therapy to achieve remission. Higher IFX trough levels (IFX-TLs) have been associated with higher rates of remission, but we always consider the probability of toxicity of the drugs when dose adjustment is required. 4 Many adverse events (AEs) have been described. Some of them require further medica