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Chronic bowel diseases (IBD), such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis (UC) are pathologies that require close monitoring. What are the latest developments in the treatment of these chronic diseases? Two advances were reported at the Crohn’s and Colitis Congress currently being held in Denver, USA.
The Congress Crohn’s and Colitis takes place from January 19 to 21, 2023 in Denver, Colorado, USA. This meeting of health professionals concerned by these chronic intestinal diseases is an opportunity to share new research advances with the world to treat patients in the most effective way.
Two devices to help the sick
The two innovative devices that were presented are portable devices such as AppleWatch or connected watch, to predict the onset of an attack and hyperbaric chambers, as a treatment for fistulas in Crohn’s disease.
If these two technologies are not currently the subject of published studies, scientists are nevertheless optimistic about their imminent implementation to treat patients.
Connected watches to manage crises
For the scientists who presented this work, markers of the nervous system could be collected by connected watches such as Applewatch. Objective: to help identify outbreaks of the disease, which are currently unpredictable. It would also measure other factors, such as heart rate, the variability of which could be a sign to watch, according to the scientists.
For Anne Buisson, deputy director of the François Aupetit association, overcoming Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis (UCH), “The whole challenge for patients is to anticipate flare-ups early, because they are very stressful and cause diarrhea, abdominal pain and a deterioration in their general condition.“. According to her, “this type of digital therapy is of great interest to patients, it is simply necessary to know whether the type of marker detected is sufficiently specific and sensitive for the disease in question”.
Hyperbaric chambers for Crohn’s disease fistulas
The other track mentioned by the researchers is the hyperbaric chamber, which would make it possible to deliver oxygen therapy to patients affected by Crohn’s disease, with the aim of treating one of the complications of the disease which are fistulas. “Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) delivers 100% oxygen in a pressurized chamber, increasing tissue oxygen levels and regulating inflammatory pathways” say the authors of the study.
“With an overall pooled clinical response rate of 87% and a low rate of adverse events, our review emphasizes the potential clinical benefit and safety of supplemental HBOT in refractory cases of Crohn’s disease fistulation “ they added.
Fistulas, a frequent complication of Crohn’s disease
Fistulas affect 30 to 50% of patients. They are created when the inflammation linked to Crohn’s disease causes ulcers or sores in the intestine: either between two areas of the intestine or between the intestine and other organs such as the vagina or the bladder. In women, a fistula can even open between her rectum and her vagina.
These fistulas are painful and lead to complications in affected patients. “Few data are currently available on this technique but it represents an important advance for patients, often young, who have few treatments – apart from surgery – in the face of this type of complication, oxygen therapy can therefore represent a solution to limit disease-related inflammation” adds Anne Buisson. “In general, these presentations show that we are making progress in the management of IBD and that we are interested in the patient as a whole, which is very positive.” she concludes.