The American College of Gastroenterology has released a 2025 update to its clinical guideline on preventive care in IBD, replacing the previous 2017 version, Medscape reported July 14.
This revised document includes 12 recommendation statements and 11 key concepts, emphasizing a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to managing IBD patients.
Here are three notes to know:
1. A major focus is vaccination. All adults with IBD aged 50+ should receive the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV20 or PCV21), with younger adults on immune-modifying therapy also advised to receive it. Herpes zoster, SARS-CoV-2, influenza, RSV, rotavirus, and all CDC-recommended vaccines (e.g., hepatitis A and B, HPV, Tdap, meningococcal) are also recommended, with special guidance for immunosuppressed patients and their households.
2. Cancer surveillance is advised for women on immune-modifying therapy (annual cervical cancer screening) and all adults (annual melanoma and nonmelanoma skin checks, especially over age 50).
3. IBD patients should be screened for bone loss with bone mineral density testing at diagnosis and periodically thereafter. Smoking cessation is strongly encouraged, as is annual screening for depression and anxiety, with referrals for mental health care as needed.
