Infectious complications in patients with inflammatory bowel disease in Asia: the results of a multinational web-based survey in the 8th Asian Organization for Crohn’s and Colitis meeting

Abstract

Background/Aims: Infectious complications are major concerns when treating patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This study evaluated clinical differences across countries/regions in the management of infectious diseases in patients with IBD.Methods: A multinational online questionnaire survey was administered to participants at the 8th meeting of the Asian Organization for Crohn’s and Colitis. The questionnaire included questions regarding surveillance, diagnosis, management, and prevention of infection in patients with IBD.Results: A total of 384 physicians responded to the questionnaire. The majority of Korean (n = 70, 63.6%) and Chinese (n = 51, 51.5%) physicians preferred vancomycin to metronidazole in the treatment of <i>Clostridium difficile</i> infection, whereas more than half of the Japanese physicians (n = 62, 66.7%) preferred metronidazole. Physicians in Korea (n = 88, 80.0%) and China (n = 46, 46.5%) preferred a 3-month course of isoniazid and rifampin to treat latent tuberculosis infection, whereas most physicians in Japan (n = 71, 76.3%) favored a 9-month course of isoniazid. Most Korean physicians (n = 89, 80.9%) recommended hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination in patients lacking HBV surface antigen, whereas more than half of Japanese physicians (n = 53, 57.0%) did not consider vaccination.Conclusions: Differences in the diagnosis, prevention, and management of infections in patients with IBD across countries/regions reflect different prevalence rates of infectious diseases. This survey may broaden understanding of the real-world clinical settings across Asian countries/regions and provide information for establishing practical guidelines to manage patients with IBD.

The Burden of Clostridioides difficile Infection in Korea

“…Established risk factors for CDI include antibiotic use, advanced age, hospitalization, and comorbidities. 2 3 In addition, since the emergence of hypervirulent strains of CDI led to an increase in the incidence of CDI, 2 CDI has been perceived as a significant burden on the healthcare system.…”