A study in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology investigated whether a monitoring index for inflammatory bowel disease can be integrated into mobile health technology with successful outcomes.
The researchers, led by Welmoed K. Van Deen, MD, of the UCLA Center for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases in Los Angeles, developed a monitoring index for remote assessment of disease activity. They validated the index, which is based on patient-reported outcomes, in 301 patients with Crohn's disease and 265 patients with ulcerative colitis.
Here's what you need to know:
1. The index assessed activity of Crohn's disease based on liquid stool frequency, abdominal pain, patient well-being and patient-assessed disease control
2. The index assessed activity of ulcerative colitis based on stool frequency, abdominal pain, rectal bleeding and patient-assessed disease control.
3. Using a scoring system, the index successfully detected both clinical disease activity and endoscopic activity for those with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.