IBD standards and ECCO 2020 Scientific and Educational Programmes

We are all aware that the management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease can be quite challenging and requires a multidisciplinary approach, given that this is one of the most complex conditions in the field of digestive disease. One cannot adopt the same approach when dealing with paediatric patients, young adults, the elderly and patients with co-morbidities, since one size does not fit all. The treatment options and approaches should always be personalised and individualised by keeping the patient’s well-being and quality of life at the centre of holistic care.

The management of IBD has advanced significantly over the last decade or so. Understanding of the aetiopathogenesis of the disease, medical and surgical management options and psychological support for patients have all improved remarkably. However, despite all the advances in knowledge, biologics and therapeutic techniques, there are still discrepancies in the quality of care provided in different hospitals.

In the UK, where an estimated 620,000 people have been diagnosed with IBD, it is practically impossible to centralise care in only a selected handful of centres. A new organisation was set up to ensure that the standards of care are met by all units that treat patients with IBD. IBD UK is a partnership between patients and all the professional societies and organisations in the UK who represent the actual multidisciplinary team, ranging from patient organisations such as Crohn’s and Colitis UK and the Ileostomy and Internal Pouch Association to all the Royal Colleges and British Associations that cover GI conditions related to IBD. IBD standards have been set which comprise seven main broad sections dealing with:

1. the IBD service;
2. pre-diagnosis;
3. the newly diagnosed;
4. flare management;
5. surgery;
6. inpatient care and
7. ongoing care and monitoring.

IBD units are able to use a benchmarking tool in order to assess whether their service meets the IBD UK standards and highlight areas for improvement as well as access patient feedback.

But, I hear you ask, How will this IBD UK initiative be linked to ECCO'20? The IBD UK standards multidisciplinary team should comprise gastroenterologists, colorectal surgeons, IBD Nurse specialists, a dietitian, a pharmacist, a pathologist and a radiologist with a special interest in gastroenterology. The team should have access to essential support services with an interest in Inflammatory Bowel Disease, including a psychologist or counsellor, a rheumatologist, an ophthalmologist, a dermatologist, an obstetrician, a nutrition support team, a paediatric gastroenterology clinical network and general practice. There should also be a named clinical lead for the IBD team.

ECCO is the ultimate example of a truly multidisciplinary team. The upcoming 15^th Congress of ECCO will start with the Educational Programme on February 12, 2020, which will continue to run alongside the main Scientific Programme. A broad selection of workshops, courses and masterclasses will be running. They will cover a range of topics, including epidemiology, paediatrics, nutrition, imaging, IBD nursing, histopathology, and surgery, and will feature many discussions of challenging cases.

You can feast your eyes on the Educational Programme by clicking on this link.

The main Scientific Programme opens with the general welcome from Herbert Tilg followed by the grand opening by Silvio Danese, the current President of ECCO. The first plenary hall scientific session promises to kick-start the Congress with hot debates in IBD. Walter Reinisch and Nuha Yassin will be chairing the session and our debating experts will answer questions on anti-TNF therapy and whether there is still a place for its use in 2020, on surgery first for early Crohn’s Disease and on whether endoscopy can be abandoned when monitoring IBD. Then it’s all about location, location, location and whether the location of disease makes a difference to its management. This session will be chaired by Fernando Dias and Johan Burisch. The final plenary hall session, chaired by Javier Gisbert and Nik Ding, focusses on reducing the burden of disease from septic complications as well as the reduction of neoplastic and postoperative complications.

Oral and digital-oral presentations will be running throughout the Congress in addition to the main scientific sessions.

The Scientific Programme can be found here.

ECCO has created a Scientific and Educational Programme which caters for all educational needs. The IBD standards are set at the ECCO Congress. We look forward to seeing you in Vienna for ECCO'20.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Best wishes,

Nuha Yassin