Liver dysfunction in patients with IBD treated with immunosuppressants is more frequent and severe in those with HBV than in HCV carriers and is associated with combined immunosuppression.

Prevalence of HBV and HCV infection in IBD is similar to that of the general population of reference and lower than that in previously published series. This fact, in addition to the lack of association with invasive procedures, suggests the existence of adequate preventive measures in centers attending to these patients. The low percentage of effective vaccination makes it mandatory to intensify B virus vaccination in IBD.

Neither immunosuppressants nor anti-TNF drugs seem to increase the risk of EC. Older age and smoking were associated with a higher prevalence of EC.

IntroductionIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional bowel disorder characterized by chronic or recurrent abdominal pain in association with defecation or a change in bowel habits. A predominant disorder of bowel habits, IBS is classified into three main subtypes: constipation-predominant IBS (IBS-C), diarrhea-predominant IBS (IBS-D) and IBS alternating between constipation and diarrhea (IBS-M). Linaclotide is a first-in-class, oral, once-daily guanylate cyclase-C receptor agonist (GC-CA) that is licensed for the symptomatic treatment of moderate-to-severe IBS-C in adults. This review aims to facilitate and optimize clinical practices, establishing common guidelines to monitor patients with IBS-C that are treated with linaclotide.MethodsA group of experts in functional digestive disorders was convened to review the efficacy and safety of linaclotide and to develop an updated consensus report for the treatment of patients with IBS-C. A search was performed for English, French and Spanish language articles in PubMed. On the basis of the articles identified, an initial document was drafted addressing different issues frequently raised by general practitioners and GI specialists that are related to the prescription, efficacy and safety of linaclotide. This document was then reviewed and modified by the expert panel until a final text was agreed upon and validated.ResultsBased on the evidence, the panel addressed the following recommendations: (1) Linaclotide is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe IBS-C in adults; (2) it is recommended that patients take linaclotide continuously and not sporadically; (3) patients should be warned about the risk of diarrhea and given choices concerning how to deal with this possible side effect; (4) the absence of tachyphylaxis or potential risks implies that linaclotide treatment can be maintained for long periods of time.ConclusionsThis document seeks to lay down a set of recommendations and to identify key issues that may be useful for the clinical management of IBS-C patients treated with linaclotide.

Summary Background Thiopurines are the most widely used immunosuppressants in IBD although drug‐related adverse events (AE) occur in 20%‐30% of cases. Aim To evaluate the safety of thiopurines in elderly IBD patients Methods Cohort study including all adult patients in the ENEIDA registry who received thiopurines. Patients were grouped in terms of age at the beginning of thiopurine treatment, specifically in those who started thiopurines over 60 years or between 18 and 50 years of age. Thiopurine‐related AEs registered in the ENEIDA database were compared. Results Out of 48 752 patients, 1888 started thiopurines when over 60 years of age and 15 477 under 50 years of age. Median treatment duration was significantly shorter for those who started thiopurines >60 years (13 [IQR 2‐55] vs 32 [IQR 5‐82] months; P < .001). Patients starting >60 years had higher rates of all types of myelotoxicity, digestive intolerance and hepatotoxicity. Thiopurines were discontinued due to AEs (excluding malignancies and infections) in more patients starting >60 years (67.2% vs 63.1%; P < .001). Elderly age and female sex were independent risk factors for most AEs. Conclusion In elderly IBD patients, thiopurines are associated with an increased risk of non‐infectious, non‐neoplastic, AEs.