Therapeutic guidelines on ulcerative colitis: a GRADE methodology based effort of GETECCU

Background and aim Evidence-based clinical guidelines on Ulcerative colitis (UC) have been developed through a consensus, while GRADE methodology is the current standard for guideline development. This is the first one based on GRADE methodology on UC. Methods Following GRADE methodology, the Spanish Group of Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's disease (GETECCU) have developed a guideline on UC treatment. After selection of relevant clinical scenarios, 32 clinical questions were chosen and recommendations were established. Results In 2 questions no recommendation was possible. Twenty-two actions were recommended for, 14 strongly and 8 weakly. However, in 8 questions a recommendation against doing something was obtained, weak in 5 and strong in 3. The majority of recommendations were based on moderate quality evidence, and only 5 on high-quality evidence. Conclusions With GRADE methodology we find a clear recommendation on possible actions in most clinical decisions in UC treatment, but much more clinical high-quality research is needed.