Hospital practitioner in gastroenterology Dr John O'Malley answers GP Dr Julian Spink's quesitons on managing inflammatory bowel disease.
Learning objectives
This module will give a GP-focused overview of managing patients with inflammatory bowel disease in primary care:
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Distinguishing IBS and IBD
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Investigating relapses in patients with IBD
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Managing patients who are unresponsive to topical mesalazine
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Using long-term therapy in patients with IBD
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Prescribing azothioprine, methotrexate and infliximab
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Advising patients with IBD who want to become pregnant
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Managing complications, such as anaemia, increased risk of DVT and higher than normal risk of colon cancer
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Advising patients on the heritability of IBD
This module was first published on 25th May 2011 and was up to date with all key guidelines and evidence at that point. It will be reviewed as part of our routine update cycle by 25th May 2013 but will be updated sooner to reflect any key guideline changes.
Author
Dr John O'Malley is medical director of Mastercall, an NHS Social Enterprise based in Stockport. He is a former GP principal and has been a hospital practitioner in gastroenterology at Wirral University Hospital Trust for the past 18 years. He is acting secretary of the Primary Care Society for Gastroenterology and a member of the UK IBD Audit Committee
Dr Julian Spinks is a GP in Strood, Kent
