← Issue №10/ week of Sep 6, 2026/IBD

The prevalence of abdominal computed tomography imaging findings in patients with inflammatory bowel disease who present to the emergency department: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

From GI Signals issue №10: what this paper found, what it changes, and where it sits against the current standard of care, reviewed by Simon Mathews, MD.

IBD meta analysis · n=8,539 · Sep 1, 2026 · Inflamm Bowel Dis · IF 4.5

The prevalence of abdominal computed tomography imaging findings in patients with inflammatory bowel disease who present to the emergency department: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

New evidencesystematic reviewmeta-analysisepidemiology
Clinical takeawayConsider selective rather than routine CT imaging for IBD patients in the ED, as serious complications are uncommon.
What it foundPooled prevalence of serious penetrating IBD findings on ED CT was low: abscesses/inflammatory masses in 12% of CD and 3% of UC, perforations in 3% of CD and 1% of UC; non-IBD pathologies were <5%.
ContextChallenges current ED practice of frequent CT use in IBD by quantifying low yield for serious complications.
Reinforcessuggested applicable standard· ACG Clinical Guideline Update: Ulcerative Colitis in Adults, Am J Gastroenterol 2025;120(6):1187-1224; AGA Living Guideline on Pharmacological Management of Moderate-to-Severe UC, Gastroenterology 2024 (panel review March 2026, no changes)

Decision at stakeuse of CT imaging in ulcerative colitis patients presenting to the emergency department

Confirm ulcerative colitis with endoscopy showing continuous colonic inflammation from the rectum plus histology, after excluding infection with two-step CDI testing.

From our summary of this standard, unedited — the part the paper bears on. marks omitted text. Our wording, not the guideline's; read the source for its own text.

Our full summary of this standard

Confirm ulcerative colitis with endoscopy showing continuous colonic inflammation from the rectum plus histology, after excluding infection with two-step CDI testing. Treat mild-moderate disease with 5-ASA by route and extent (suppository for proctitis, enema for left-sided, oral plus rectal for extensive); if 5-ASA fails, treat as moderate-to-severe rather than stepping up gradually. Position advanced therapy by EFFICACY TIER, not by an anti-TNF-first rule. Advanced-therapy-naive, higher efficacy: infliximab, vedolizumab, ozanimod, etrasimod, upadacitinib, risankizumab, guselkumab; intermediate: golimumab, ustekinumab, tofacitinib, filgotinib, mirikizumab; lower: adalimumab. PREVIOUSLY TNF-EXPOSED, higher efficacy: tofacitinib, upadacitinib, ustekinumab; lower: adalimumab, vedolizumab, ozanimod, etrasimod - S1P modulators are weakest in exactly this group. Do not cycle within the anti-TNF class after primary non-response; switch mechanism. Apply treat-to-target (STRIDE-II) to endoscopic improvement (MES 0-1). Screen for acute severe UC by Truelove-Witts and admit for IV steroids. Begin CRC surveillance 8-10 years after DIAGNOSIS for extensive or left-sided disease; isolated proctitis follows average-risk screening.

ACG Clinical Guideline Update: Ulcerative Colitis in Adults, Am J Gastroenterol 2025;120(6):1187-1224; AGA Living Guideline on Pharmacological Management of Moderate-to-Severe UC, Gastroenterology 2024 (panel review March 2026, no changes) ↗
Azward A … McCurdy JD · Inflammatory Bowel Diseases · IF 4.5 · PubMed ↗Permalink
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