Crohn's & Colitis Congress® spotlights key IBD research findings

Congress® to showcase game-changing research on treatment barriers, genetic mysteries, and cardiovascular safety

2025-02-06

(Press-News.org) San Francisco, CA (Feb. 5, 2025) – The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation and the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) are excited to host the annual Crohn’s & Colitis Congress®, taking place Feb. 6-8, in San Francisco, CA. This premier event will showcase cutting-edge research, innovative technologies, and advanced patient care strategies set to transform the lives of one in 100 Americans living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Below is a preview of the key studies being presented at Crohn’s & Colitis Congress. To speak with the study authors or to review all 171 abstracts being presented, please email media@gastro.org.

More Than 40% of IBD Patients Made Significant Financial Sacrifices to Pay for Their Health Care

Study title: Barriers to timely health care access for IBD patients in the U.S.: Additional findings from a recent survey by the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation

More than 40% of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients have made significant financial trade-offs to afford their health care, according to a recent Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation survey. The survey highlighted that among all respondents, 30% reported giving up vacations or major household purchases, 22% increased their credit card debt, and 21% cut back on essential items such as food, clothing, or basic household items. The survey also identified major barriers to accessing care, including:

The majority (63%) faced financial barriers to obtaining medications, resulting in them not taking their IBD medications as prescribed. Consequently, 66% experienced adverse health events.

More than half (56%) faced medication access issues due to insurance problems.

Nearly a quarter (25%) faced step therapy or fail-first mandates, forcing them to try and fail on other medications before getting their prescribed treatment.

Cracking the Crohn's Code: Epigenetic Clues Unveiled in Low-Risk Patients

Study title: Identification of epigenetic factors that influence Crohn's disease development in those at low genetic risk for disease

Groundbreaking research sheds new light on the mysterious development of Crohn's disease in individuals with low genetic risk, potentially revolutionizing our understanding of this complex condition. A team of scientists led by Kaitlyn Boyle and colleagues identified specific epigenetic factors that may influence Crohn's disease onset in these unexpected cases. Utilizing data from the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation's IBD Plexus, the study analyzed 115 newly diagnosed Crohn's disease patients, focusing on those with low polygenic risk scores. The researchers found 34 DNA sites with chemical changes in these patients, five of which had especially strong links to the condition. These findings, which include genes previously linked to colitis and colorectal cancer, offer promising new avenues for understanding disease development and identifying modifiable risk factors. They could also pave the way for new prevention and treatment strategies.

IBD Treatment Goals: A Reality Check on Adherence in the Real World

Study title: Determining adherence to treat-to-target goals in inflammatory bowel disease: Insights from IBD Qorus survey data

A new study sheds light on the real-world feasibility of the treat-to-target approach in IBD management, revealing both promising adherence rates and areas for improvement. Researchers from Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, led by Michelle Dong and colleagues, analyzed data from 115 IBD patients as part of the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation's IBD Qorus program. The study tracked adherence to various treat-to-target goals, including timely endoscopies, fecal calprotectin tests, medication changes, and surgical referrals. While the results showed high completion rates for many tasks - such as 100% adherence to therapy switches and surgical referrals - there were notable gaps in other areas. For instance, only 66% of requested endoscopies were completed within the desired 6-month timeframe. This research not only provides valuable insights into the practical challenges of implementing treat-to-target strategies but also paves the way for identifying and addressing barriers to optimal IBD care.

Additional abstracts you may be interested in covering:

Non-invasive wireless patches: Wireless patch systems could provide doctors with more accurate, objective information about Crohn’s disease activity. Crohn’s disease exclusion diet in children: The diet improved symptoms and led to clinical remission in a select group of children with Crohn’s disease.

Online IBD patient recruitment: Decentralized and online recruitment methods can enhance clinical trial enrollment and engagement.

To review these abstracts or see the complete abstract book, email media@gastro.org.

All abstracts presented at the meeting will be published in online supplements to Gastroenterology and Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. All data presented at Crohn’s & Colitis Congress are embargoed until the start of the congress, 8:30 a.m. PST on Thursday, Feb. 6.

Learn more about IBD:

Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation: What is IBD? American Gastroenterological Association: IBD information from the AGA GI Patient Center

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Media contacts:

Annie Mehl, media@gastro.org

Rachel Peifer, rpeifer@crohnscolitisfoundation.org

About the Crohn’s & Colitis Congress
The Crohn’s & Colitis Congress, taking place from Feb. 6-8 in San Francisco, CA, combines the strengths of the nation’s leading IBD patient organization, the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, and the premier GI professional association, the American Gastroenterological Association. Together, we are committed to convening the greatest minds in IBD to transform patient care. The Crohn’s & Colitis Congress is the must-attend meeting for all IBD professionals. Learn more at crohnscolitiscongress.org.

About the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation
The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation is the leading nonprofit organization focused on both research and patient support for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), with the mission of curing Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis and improving the quality of life for the millions of Americans living with IBD. The Foundation’s work is dramatically accelerating the research process while also providing extensive educational and support resources for patients and their families, medical professionals, and the public. For more information, visit crohnscolitisfoundation.org, call 888-694-8872, or email info@crohnscolitisfoundation.org.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ccfafb
Twitter: @crohnscolitisfn
Instagram: @crohnscolitisfoundation
LinkedIn: Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation
TikTok: @crohnscolitisfoundation

About the AGA Institute
The American Gastroenterological Association is the trusted voice of the GI community. Founded in 1897, AGA has grown to more than 16,000 members from around the globe who are involved in all aspects of the science, practice, and advancement of gastroenterology. The AGA Institute administers the organization's practice, research, and educational programs. www.gastro.org.

AGA is on Instagram.
Like AGA on Facebook.
Follow us on X @AmerGastroAssn and Bluesky @amergastroassn.bsky.social.
Check out our videos on YouTube.
Join AGA on LinkedIn.

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Crohn's & Colitis Congress® spotlights key IBD research findings

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