Empowering IBD patients: tools for managing symptoms between doctor visits

Gastroenterologist Shamita B. Shah discusses her article, "How doctors can help IBD patients manage symptoms between visits." Addressing the rising prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in the U.S., Shamita highlights the challenges patients face managing unpredictable symptoms like pain and diarrhea, even while on therapy, often leading to undertreatment and complications. She outlines three key ways physicians can empower patients for better self-management between appointments: First, engaging patients to track symptoms using tools like wearable devices or digital platforms incorporating patient-reported outcomes (PROs), citing studies showing these methods can predict flares and significantly reduce emergency room visits (by 48 percent) and hospitalizations (by 78 percent). Second, educating patients on the diet-disease connection, recommending approaches like the Mediterranean diet and the use of food diaries (potentially via apps) to identify individual triggers. Third, providing patients with a comprehensive health maintenance checklist, such as the one from the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, to ensure accountability for crucial screenings (cancer, mental health) and vaccinations, especially important for those on immunosuppressive therapies. Actionable takeaways focus on physicians proactively equipping patients with these tracking tools, dietary guidance, and checklists to foster better disease control and quality of life.

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