John Mansfield © ECCO

The 6^th ClinCom Workshop focussed on two current themes in IBD research: Evolving endpoints in clinical trials and comparative effectiveness research (CER).

Laurent Peyrin-Biroulet (Nancy, France) described the drivers that have led to the move from Crohn’s Disease Activity Index (CDAI) and Mayo scores to patient-reported outcomes (PROs) that just record clinical symptoms. The ultimate therapeutic goal is not only to reduce symptoms but also to return the patient to a normal life without disability. For Ulcerative Colitis (UC) the PRO uses rectal bleeding and stool frequency scores from the Mayo score, while for Crohn’s Disease (CD) abdominal pain and stool frequency scores are used. Many clinical trials also aim to show resolution of mucosal inflammation so endoscopic scores are frequently being used as co-primary endpoints with symptom scores. Some problems with PROs remain to be settled, especially the cut-off values for active disease, response and remission, and also the variability of patients’ assessment of loose stools and rectal bleeding.

Jihye Park © Jihye Park

Most patients with chronic IBD are diagnosed at a young age. After baseline diagnosis many of these young patients have to undergo repeated imaging procedures during the variable clinical course of their disease. Ultrasound, CT and MRI are used to image transmural alterations and extra-intestinal manifestations of the disease and to monitor response to treatment. 

Janneke van der Woude © ECCO

One of the main goals of ECCO is to promote IBD-related basic and clinical research as well as to foster interaction and productive collaboration among European research groups working in the IBD field. To achieve this goal, ECCO continues to award Grants, Fellowships and Travel Awards.

For 2018 the number of awardees has increased to an amazing total of more than 30.

Shomron Ben-Horin © ECCO

Michael Scharl © ECCO

Fat in IBD – Much more than an innocent bystander 

Within the framework of the 6^th SciCom Workshop, the role of fat and lipids in IBD pathogenesis was highlighted. Six highly interesting talks shed light on the fact that fat is much more than an innocent bystander in IBD.

Sandra Bohn Thomsen  © Sandra Bohn Thomsen

Evolution after anti-TNF discontinuation in patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A multicentre long-term follow-up study

Casanova MJ, Chaparro M, García-Sánchez V, Nantes O, Leo E, Rojas-Feria M, et al.
Am J Gastroenterol. 2017;112:120–31

Kapil Sahnan  © Kapil Sahnan

Laparoscopic ileocaecal resection versus infliximab for terminal ileitis in Crohn’s disease: A randomised controlled, open-label, multicentre trial 

Ponsioen CY, de Groof EJ, Eshuis EJ, Gardenbroek TJ, Bossuyt PMM, Hart A, et al. 
Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2017;2:785–92. 

Bobby Zhao Sheng Lo © Bobby Zhao Sheng Lo

Prediction of complicated disease course for children newly diagnosed with Crohn’s disease: A multicentre inception cohort study

Kugathasan S, Denson LA, Walters TD, Kim MO, Marigorta UM, Schirmer M, et al.
Lancet. 2017;389:1710–8.

Dominik Bettenworth  © ECCO

Dear Y-ECCO Friends,

A warm welcome to the Y-ECCO Literature Review section, where you will find a summary and discussion of cutting-edge clinical trials as well as basic science studies in the field of IBD. 

If you are a Y-ECCO Member and you are looking for an opportunity to get actively involved in ECCO and gain some visibility, contribute your article to the Y-ECCO Literature Review corner, together with a short self-description and your picture.

Nuha Yassin  ©  ECCO

Dear Y-ECCO Friends,

We are revisiting the multidisciplinary IBD team. Today, I am delighted to be joined by Palle Bager, an IBD nurse specialist and the current N-ECCO Chair.

Please contact me for any interview suggestions for the Y-ECCO Interview Corner.

Nuha Yassin
Y-ECCO Interview Corner Coordinator

Isabelle Cleynen  ©  ECCO

Dear Y-ECCO Friends,

This will be the last time that I address you as Y-ECCO Chair. At the next ECCO Congress (2018, Vienna), I shall be stepping down and it is with great pleasure that I will then hand over the position of Chair to Nuha Yassin (UK), who has been serving on the Committee for three years. There will also be a new member joining the Committee, for which the selection process has been completed. We received seven excellent applications, and would like to encourage those who were not selected this time to re-apply in coming years.