Why is it important?
In the 2023 IBD benchmarking survey, 56% of patients reported experiencing a flare within the previous 12 months. If left untreated, complications can be life threatening, including dehydration, malnutrition, obstructions, intestinal ruptures and deterioration of mental health. For the NHS, the major impact is financial— it’s 2-3 times more expensive to treat a patient with active disease compared to someone in remission.1
This is why it is so important to have clear pathways in place for the management of IBD patients experiencing flares. A useful example are the flare pathways co-produced by a working group of health professionals and patients as part of the RCGP and Crohn’s & Colitis UK IBD Spotlight Project, approved by the British Society of Gastroenterology. They give primary care health professionals accessible guidance on steroid intervention, dose escalation, and when to refer to secondary care.
With these pathways, suitable patients can be managed appropriately. This means better shared care and more confidence in responding to flares effectively, including rapid access to advice from the IBD team.
It's important to note that variation may exist in diagnosis and treatment pathways in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and in England at a regional level.