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MP Martínez-Montiel, B Casis-Herce , GJ Gómez-Gómez, A Masedo-González, C Yela-San Bernardino, C Piedracoba, G Castellano-Tortajada Division of Gastroenterology, Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, SpainAbstract: Although corticosteroids are an effective treatment for induction of remission in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), many patients are dependent on or refractory to corticosteroids. This review is based on scrutinizing current literature with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and Cochrane reviews on the management of IBD refractory to corticosteroids. Based on this evidence, we propose algorithms and optimization strategies for use of immunomodulator and biologic therapy in IBD refractory to corticosteroids.Keywords: immunomodulators, anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, drug levels, treatment optimization

The aim of the IBDU is to provide comprehensive care for patients with IBD (1,2). During the COVID-19 pandemic, telephone medical consultations and telemedicine training sessions were implemented to ensure patient safety (3). The aim of this study was to determine whether there was a difference in the degree of satisfaction between face-to-face and telephone care, as well as in the annual patient sessions.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is currently considered the most common cause of liver disease. Its prevalence is increasing in parallel with the obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) epidemics in developed countries. Several recent studies have suggested that NAFLD may be the hepatic manifestation of a systemic inflammatory metabolic disease that also affects other organs, such as intestine, lungs, skin and vascular endothelium. It appears that local and systemic proinflammatory/anti-inflammatory cytokine imbalance, together with insulin resistance and changes in the intestinal microbiota, are pathogenic mechanisms shared by NAFLD and other comorbidities. NAFLD is more common in patients with extrahepatic diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), obstructive syndrome apnea (OSA) and psoriasis than in the general population. Furthermore, there is evidence that this association has a negative impact on the severity of liver lesions. Specific risk characteristics for NAFLD have been identified in populations with IBD ( i.e . age, obesity, DM2, previous bowel surgery, IBD evolution time, methotrexate treatment), OSA ( i.e . obesity, DM2, OSA severity, increased transaminases) and psoriasis ( i.e . age, metabolic factors, severe psoriasis, arthropathy, elevated transaminases, methotrexate treatment). These specific phenotypes might be used by gastroenterologists, pneumologists and dermatologists to create screening algorithms for NAFLD. Such algorithms should include non-invasive markers of fibrosis used in NAFLD to select subjects for referral to the hepatologist. Prospective, controlled studies in NAFLD patients with extrahepatic comorbidities are required to demonstrate a causal relationship and also that appropriate multidisciplinary management improves these patients' prognosis and survival., Competing Interests: Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (©The Author(s) 2021. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.)

The population of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and solid organ transplant (SOT) is increasing. Two clinical scenarios exist, recurrence of pre-existing IBD, which is more common, and de novo development of IBD, with a much higher incidence than in the general population. Their clinical course differs and may have a negative impact on the graft in both cases. The pathophysiological mechanisms remain unknown and no specific treatment recommendations are available. The combined effect of biologic therapy against IBD and immunosuppressive therapy against a potential rejection means that close monitoring is mandatory to identify infection, autoimmune events and malignancies. The colorectal cancer (CRC) rate is higher in this population. The group at greatest risk are patients with IBD undergoing liver transplantation (LT) for primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC).