Inflammatory Bowel Disease is a new pathway recently added to the HealthPathways suite of localised information for clinicians and other health professionals.
It includes up-to-date information on recent changes to Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) prescribing for inflammatory bowel disease medications.
‘Some of the medications which are really effective for inflammatory bowel disease were not previously on the PBS, but they are now,’ said HealthPathways Clinical Editor Dr Hilton Koppe. ‘Having this page added to our site is very timely for that reason.’
Inflammatory bowel disease can occur at any age, but it frequently arises in people aged between 30 and 40. The two most common forms of inflammatory bowel diseases are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
‘It’s a chronic disease that starts in early midlife and the GP really needs to be involved in the ongoing management and monitoring of the condition,’ Dr Koppe said.
‘It’s also important because a delayed diagnosis can lead to complications. If clinicians are aware of it and know the steps to take to work towards a prompt diagnosis, then that’s going to reduce complications.’
Dr Koppe said one of the longer-term complications of inflammatory bowel disease was the increased risk of bowel cancer, reinforcing the importance of monitoring.
‘The pathway works well in conjunction with the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Colonoscopy Surveillance pathway,’ he said.
‘With the modern treatments using some of the newer medications, many patients will be symptom-free for long periods of time. The pathway has links to medications for inflammatory bowel disease and outlines lifestyle changes that can be beneficial.
‘The pathway includes information about appropriate immunisations for people who have inflammatory bowel disease, particularly those who are taking immuno-suppressant therapy as part of the treatment.
‘Because it’s a chronic disease of younger adults, there’s also a section about fertility and contraception and pre-conception planning that can be really helpful for younger people with inflammatory bowel disease who are planning pregnancy.’
Mid and North Coast Localised Pathways
manc.communityhealthpathways.org
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