Letter from the ECCO President

During the Vienna meetings, the UR-CARE committee had the opportunity to come together and reflect on the incredible growth of the platform, which now includes data on more than 38,000 patients! A big congratulations to everyone involved. If your centre isn’t yet participating, don’t worry—there’s always room to join!

This edition of ECCO News highlights many exciting updates. For instance, Nick Powell from SciCom showcases the dedication of our ECCO reviewers by putting the spotlight on two exceptional “super reviewers.” Curious to know who they are? Be sure to check out the full article in ECCO News!

Exciting progress continues in the world of IBD research, and at the heart of it is the ongoing work of the CONFER Steering Committee! Since 2016, they've been dedicated to unraveling the full spectrum of IBD, with a particular focus on identifying the elusive Colibri, a task both challenging and fascinating. In this issue, we take a closer look at their journey and the various topics they've explored along the way. One standout feature is the latest epidemiological data, which again sheds light on the intriguing connection between migration and IBD incidence. This short article offers a glimpse into some compelling trends, but it's just the beginning. It beckons the research community to dive even deeper, urging everyone to look beyond the surface and uncover the hidden insights that could transform our understanding of IBD. So, whether you're already familiar with these themes or just starting to explore them, there's plenty to get excited about in this issue! Dive in and join the quest for answers.

As the Berlin Congress approaches, we’re excited to offer a variety of courses, including the 23rd IBD Intensive Course for Trainees. If this piques your interest, please contact your National Representative to learn more about nominations. In this issue, Mariangela Alloca and Uri Kopylov provide details on the ECCO 2025 Imaging Workshops. Plus, Simona Radice and Adriana Rivera from N-ECCO share key updates on the strong network surrounding the upcoming congress. This issue also offers insights from the D-ECCO committee, which is growing in importance. Alicia Sandall shares whether our IBD patients should avoid ultra-processed foods, while S-ECCO’s Alaa El-Hussuna discusses the outcomes of IBD surgery. Meanwhile, P-ECCO provides a review of small molecules for children, and H-ECCO emphasizes the critical role of histologic scoring in IBD management.

Y-ECCO has also been busy preparing for 2025, and I encourage you to read about their activities in this issue. Don’t forget to join the conversation using the ECCO App! Additionally, the Y-ECCO team continues its literature review series with some fascinating reads, including studies on continuous monitoring of IBD biomarkers, trials on subcutaneous infliximab and the PROFILE trial. Be sure to check out their insights!

This issue’s Y-ECCO interview features Harry Sokol, a new SciCom member. Although he originally aspired to be a neurologist, he found his true passion in gastroenterology, IBD, and the microbiome! Learn more about Harry’s inspiring journey in the interview.

Lastly, our REACH strategy continues to gain momentum. After fully embracing the “E,” the focus now shifts toward “A” (Attain sustainable IBD care) as we look ahead to 2025. Many initiatives are already underway, and more are coming. I want to extend a huge thank you to all the ECCO committees and members who have embraced REACH and are contributing to the global IBD community!

Wishing you all the best, and I can’t wait to welcome you to the ECCO Congress in February 2025 in Berlin!

Britta