Ji Seok Park, MD: Collaborating with Other Specialists for IBD Research

It is important for gastroenterologist to collaborate on research projects with other specialists, including cardiologists, endocrinologists, and nephrologists.

A lot of times comorbid conditions associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome, and other gastrointestinal disorders increase the risk of severe outcomes and mortality.

Other times, the risk of mortality might not increase, but early intervention could ultimately increase the quality of life for the patient.

In data presented at the 2021 American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) Annual Meeting, investigators from the Cleveland Clinic found fistulizing Crohn’s disease increases the healthcare burden and lengthens the duration of hospital stays in patients with acute kidney injury (AKI), but it was not associated with an increase in mortality.

The investigators found several demographics might be more likely to suffer from the condition, including younger patients, individuals living in the southern US, and patients with less comorbidity burden.

The patients were also more likely to have severe protein caloric malnutrition, vitamin B12 deficiency, hypokalemia, hypovolemic hyponatremia, require blood transfusions, and central parenteral nutrition.

In an interview with HCPLive®, Ji Seok Park, MD, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, & Nutrition, Cleveland Clinic, explained how important it is to present research that crosses different specialties at major medical meetings like ACG.

Park also explained why the results likely aren’t similar in a cohort of patients with ulcerative colitis compared to Crohn’s disease.