Caring for Adults Hospitalized with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Clinical Takeaway

: Experts provide updated guidance on inpatient management of patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

An overview of the 2026 AGA Clinical Practice Update on Inpatient Management of Adults with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Expert Review from the American Gastroenterological Association

Background

This clinical practice update from the American Gastroenterological Association summarizes published literature and expert opinion on evaluating and managing adults hospitalized with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD; see ).

Key Recommendations

Initial assessment and management

All patients hospitalized for IBD should undergo stool culture, two-step Clostridioides difficile testing, and cross-sectional imaging to evaluate for IBD complications (e.g., toxic megacolon, intra-abdominal abscess, or bowel obstruction).
Biomarkers of inflammation (e.g., l…

Reviewing Author

Rahul B. Ganatra, M.D., M.P.H.

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportVA Health Systems Research Evidence, Policy, and Implementation Center (EPIC) / Ambient Dictation Tech Sprint Evaluation Supplement

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