What Is Inflammatory Bowel Disease?
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) includes a range of chronic inflammatory disorders that impact the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis being the most well-known.
These disorders result in extended periods of inflammation, potentially leading to severe discomfort and various complications if not adequately treated or managed.
Gaining a comprehensive understanding of IBD is essential for effective disease management and enhancing the quality of life for those impacted.
Watch the video: What Is Inflammatory Bowel Disease?
Key Insights of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
An abnormal immune response causes IBD, targeting the GI tract and leading to inflammation and damage. Although Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are both forms of IBD, they are very different conditions affecting different parts of the GI tract.
Crohn’s disease (CD) affects any part of the upper and lower GI tract from the mouth to the anus. However, it most commonly impacts the end of the small intestine and the beginning of the colon. Ulcerative colitis, on the other hand, is confined to the colon and rectum.
Symptoms of IBD can vary widely but often include abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and fatigue. The severity and frequency of these symptoms can fluctuate, with periods of remission interspersed with flare-ups.
Who Gets IBD?
IBD can affect anyone, but doctors most commonly diagnose it in adolescents and young adults between the ages of 15 and 35.
IBD occurs worldwide, and its incidence is rising, although it is more prevalent in developed countries and urban areas.
While the exact cause of IBD is not known, experts believe it results from a combination of genetic predisposition, environmental factors, and an overactive immune response.
How IBD Is Treated and Managed
IBD is a chronic disease, meaning there is no known cure for it. Therefore, treatment for IBD aims to reduce inflammation, manage symptoms, and achieve and maintain remission.
Management strategies typically include a combination of medication, lifestyle modifications, and, in some cases, surgery.
Medications: Treatment often starts with anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aminosalicylates and corticosteroids. Immunosuppressants, like azathioprine and methotrexate, are also commonly used to reduce immune system activity.
Biologic Treatments: Biologics have radically transformed IBD management. These drugs, derived from living organisms, specifically target immune system components rather than suppress the entire immune system.
The FDA has approved several biologics for IBD treatment, including:
- Infliximab (Remicade)
- Adalimumab (Humira)
- Certolizumab pegol (Cimzia)
- Golimumab (Simponi)
- Vedolizumab (Entyvio)
- Ustekinumab (Stelara)
How Biologics Work to Treat IBD
The mechanism of action that powers biologic therapy targets specific molecules involved in diverse inflammatory processes.
For instance:
Biologic drugs like Infliximab, adalimumab, certolizumab pegol, and golimumab block tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), a substance that promotes inflammation.
Conversely, Vedolizumab binds to the α4β7 integrin, a protein that allows white blood cells to enter the GI tract, thus reducing inflammation.
On the other hand, Ustekinumab targets interleukins (IL-12 and IL-23), which are involved in the inflammatory response in the GI tract.
Making Biologic Treatments More Accessible
One of the primary challenges with biologic treatments is accessibility.
Administering biologics often requires infusion or injection, which requires special training and advanced administration equipment.
Altus Biologics is addressing this issue by collaborating with doctors nationwide to set up in-office biologic therapy suites.
These suites allow patients to receive their treatments in a more convenient and comfortable setting, reducing the need for hospital visits and minimizing disruptions to their routine.
By bringing biologic treatments into doctors’ offices, Altus Biologics is making these life-changing therapies more accessible to patients.
This approach improves convenience and fosters a closer relationship between patients and healthcare providers, ensuring better monitoring and management of the disease and improved treatment results.
Living with IBD presents numerous challenges, but advances in treatment, particularly the development and accessibility of biologics, have significantly improved disease management and patient outcomes. With the support of your healthcare provider, you can navigate the complexities of IBD with greater confidence and hope for a better quality of life.
