Year 2025 / Volume 117 / Number 11
Original
Assessing inflammatory bowel disease monitoring procedures in Spain: insights from the IBD-PODCAST study

636-644

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2025.11190/2025

José María Huguet, Elena Gómez Delgado, Saioa Rubio, Patricia Suárez Álvarez, Isabel Vera Mendoza, José María Paredes, Alejandro Hernández Camba, Rocío Plaza Santos, Míriam Mañosa, Ramón Pajares Villarroya, Lucía Madero Velázquez, Pablo Vega, Regina Santos de Lamadrid, Naiara Michelena, Miriam García, Fernando Gomollón,

Abstract
Introduction: Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are characterized by persistent gastrointestinal inflammation. Timely, effective management is crucial to improve long-term patient outcomes. Materials and methods: as part of the IBD-PODCAST study, this cross-sectional, multicenter, non-interventional study included 396 patients (196 CD, 200 UC) from 14 Spanish hospitals, aiming to assess treat-to-target implementation through monitoring practices in a real-world setting. Biochemical markers (C-reactive protein [CRP], fecal calprotectin [fCal]) measured within ± 14 days of index date and imaging tests (endoscopy, intestinal ultrasound [IUS], magnetic resonance imaging/magnetic resonance enterography/computed tomography [MRI/MRE/CT]) during the previous year were collected. Actions taken based on the results were evaluated. Results: biochemical markers were requested in more than half the patients and imaging in a third, including endoscopic procedures in 18.9 % of CD and 28 % of UC cases, and IUS in < 12 % of patients. Treatment was adjusted in 67 % of CD patients with symptoms and 67 % of UC patients with rectal bleeding. Only 39 % of CD and 26 % of UC patients with abnormal fCal had treatment modifications, with 35 % and 37 % undergoing additional monitoring, respectively. Endoscopic findings prompted adjustments in 87 % of CD and 56 % of UC patients. Conclusion: the IBD-PODCAST study examined routine IBD management in Spain, highlighting the need for improved monitoring and intervention to optimize patient care and outcomes.
Lay Summary
Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, are chronic conditions that significantly impact patients’ daily lives. Effective management goes beyond controlling symptoms, requiring regular monitoring to detect underlying inflammation and guide treatment decisions. This sub-analysis of the IBD-PODCAST study focuses on the Spanish population, providing insight into how IBD is managed in Spain and highlighting areas for improvement. Our data show that, although monitoring in Spain generally follows international standards, treatment adjustments are not always made when abnormalities are detected. Many decisions are still based on symptoms rather than on monitoring tools like biomarkers, imaging, or endoscopy. This suggests a missed opportunity to use available data to make timely changes that could prevent disease complications and improve long-term outcomes. The findings underline the importance of integrating objective monitoring tools into routine care to better manage IBD. Spain has made progress with initiatives like quality certification programs for IBD units, but there is still room to enhance how monitoring data is used to guide treatment. Therefore, by adopting a more proactive approach, patients in Spain could benefit from improved disease control, reduced complications, and a better quality of life.
New comment
Comments
No comments for this article
References
1. D'Amico, F., F. Gomollón, G. Bamias, et al., Proportion of inflammatory bowel diseases patients with suboptimal disease control in daily clinical practice-Real-world evidence from the inflammatory bowel diseases-podcast study. United European Gastroenterol J, 2024.
2. Vega, P., J.M. Huguet, E. Gómez, et al., IBD-PODCAST Spain: A Close Look at Current Daily Clinical Practice in IBD Management. Dig Dis Sci, 2024.
3. Turner, D., A. Ricciuto, A. Lewis, et al., STRIDE-II: An Update on the Selecting Therapeutic Targets in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (STRIDE) Initiative of the International Organization for the Study of IBD (IOIBD): Determining Therapeutic Goals for Treat-to-Target strategies in IBD. Gastroenterology, 2021. 160(5): p. 1570-1583.
4. Zammarchi, I., G. Santacroce, and M. Iacucci, Next-Generation Endoscopy in Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Diagnostics, 2023. 13(15): p. 2547.
5. Vestergaard, M.V., K.H. Allin, G.J. Poulsen, et al., Characterizing the pre-clinical phase of inflammatory bowel disease. Cell Rep Med, 2023. 4(11): p. 101263.
6. Rodríguez-Lago, I., J. Blackwell, B. Mateos, et al., Recent Advances and Potential Multi-Omics Approaches in the Early Phases of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. J Clin Med, 2023. 12(10).
7. Strohl, M., L. Gonczi, Z. Kurt, et al., Quality of care in inflammatory bowel diseases: What is the best way to better outcomes? World J Gastroenterol, 2018. 24(22): p. 2363-2372. DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v24.i22.2363
8. Noor, N.M., J.C. Lee, S. Bond, et al., A biomarker-stratified comparison of top-down versus accelerated step-up treatment strategies for patients with newly diagnosed Crohn's disease (PROFILE): a multicentre, open-label randomised controlled trial. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol, 2024. DOI: 10.1016/S2468-1253(24)00034-7
9. Geem, D., D. Hercules, R.S. Pelia, et al., Progression of Pediatric Crohn's Disease Is Associated With Anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor Timing and Body Mass Index Z-Score Normalization. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol, 2024. 22(2): p. 368-376.e4.
10. Jongsma, M.M.E., L.M.M. Costes, I. Tindemans, et al., Serum Immune Profiling in Paediatric Crohn's Disease Demonstrates Stronger Immune Modulation With First-Line Infliximab Than Conventional Therapy and Pre-Treatment Profiles Predict Clinical Response to Both Treatments. J Crohns Colitis, 2023. 17(8): p. 1262-1277.
11. Danese, S., S. Vermeire, G. D'Haens, et al., Treat to target versus standard of care for patients with Crohn's disease treated with ustekinumab (STARDUST): an open-label, multicentre, randomised phase 3b trial. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol, 2022. 7(4): p. 294-306.
12. Correction to Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 7: 294-306. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol, 2022. 7(4): p. e8.
13. Colombel, J.F., G. D'Haens, W.J. Lee, et al., Outcomes and Strategies to Support a Treat-to-target Approach in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review. J Crohns Colitis, 2020. 14(2): p. 254-266.
14. Colombel, J.F., R. Panaccione, P. Bossuyt, et al., Effect of tight control management on Crohn's disease (CALM): a multicentre, randomised, controlled phase 3 trial. Lancet, 2017. 390(10114): p. 2779-2789.
15. Danese, S., E. Schabel, J. Masure, et al., Are We Ready to Abandon Placebo in Randomised Clinical Trials for Inflammatory Bowel Disease? Pros and Cons. J Crohns Colitis, 2016. 10 Suppl 2: p. S548-52.
16. Krugliak Cleveland, N., J. St-Pierre, A. Kellar, et al., Clinical Application of Intestinal Ultrasound in Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Curr Gastroenterol Rep, 2024. 26(2): p. 31-40.
17. Siffledeen, J., S. Singh, S.M. Shulman, et al., Effect of Suboptimal Disease Control on Patient Quality of Life: Real-World Data from the Observational IBD-PODCAST Canada Trial. Dig Dis Sci, 2024. 69(5): p. 1636-1648.
18. Barreiro-de Acosta, M., A. Gutiérrez, Y. Zabana, et al., Inflammatory bowel disease integral care units: Evaluation of a nationwide quality certification programme. The GETECCU experience. United European Gastroenterol J, 2021. 9(7): p. 766-772.
19. Fiorino, G., T. Lytras, L. Younge, et al., Quality of Care Standards in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: a European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation [ECCO] Position Paper. J Crohns Colitis, 2020. 14(8): p. 1037-1048.
20. Limketkai, B.N., S. Singh, V. Jairath, et al., US Practice Patterns and Impact of Monitoring for Mucosal Inflammation After Biologic Initiation in Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Inflamm Bowel Dis, 2019. 25(11): p. 1828-1837.
21. Wagatsuma, K., Y. Yokoyama, and H. Nakase, Role of Biomarkers in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Life (Basel), 2021. 11(12).
22. Buisson, A., F. Gonzalez, F. Poullenot, et al., Comparative Acceptability and Perceived Clinical Utility of Monitoring Tools: A Nationwide Survey of Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Inflamm Bowel Dis, 2017. 23(8): p. 1425-1433.
23. Dignass, A., F. D'Amico, F. Gomollón, et al., P808 Use of intestinal ultrasound influences the proportion of suboptimally controlled patients: IBD Podcast Study results. Journal of Crohn's and Colitis, 2024. 18(Supplement_1): p. i1504-i1505.
24. Maréchal, C., I. Aimone-Gastin, C. Baumann, et al., Compliance with the faecal calprotectin test in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. United European Gastroenterol J, 2017. 5(5): p. 702-707.
25. Wetwittayakhlang, P., P.A. Golovics, A.A. Khoury, et al., Adherence to Objective Therapeutic Monitoring and Outcomes in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease with Adalimumab Treatment. A Real-world Prospective Study. J Gastrointestin Liver Dis, 2022. 31(4): p. 403-410.
26. Neurath, M.F., Current and emerging therapeutic targets for IBD. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol, 2017. 14(5): p. 269-278.
27. Palmela, C., J. Torres, and M. Cravo, New Trends in Inflammatory Bowel Disease. GE - Portuguese Journal of Gastroenterology, 2015. 22(3): p. 103-111.
Related articles

Letter

Colon ulcers and HIV: an image to remember

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2025.11078/2025

Letter

Broadening perspectives in the treatment of chronic pouchitis

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2024.10865/2024

Letter

Spontaneous esophageal submucosal hematoma

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2024.10775/2024

Letter

An unusual colon mass

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2024.10613/2024

Letter

Capsule endoscopy: beyond the small bowel

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2024.10449/2024

Letter

Ulcerative colitis complicated with hypermucinous dysplasia

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2024.10348/2024

Letter

Diffuse colonic capillary hemangioma mimicking ulcerative colitis

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2024.10298/2024

Letter

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for perianal Crohn’s disease

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2024.10378/2024

Letter

Hemorrhagic shock due to ileal varices, a diagnostic challenge

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2024.10241/2024

Letter

Secondary orofacial granulomatosis due to Crohn’s disease

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2024.10214/2023

Letter

Treatment with hyperbaric oxygen in a Crohn’s disease patient

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2024.10166/2023

Letter

Lung abscess in a non-compliant patient with Crohn’s disease

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2024.10140/2023

Letter

Esophagitis dissecans superficialis: a rare endoscopic finding

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2023.10058/2023

Letter

Coincidental oral lesions in Crohn’s disease

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2023.9992/2023

Letter

Blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2023.9913/2023

Letter

Tofacitinib-induced eosinophilia

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2023.9831/2023

Digestive Diseases Image

Jejunum cavernous hemangioma: a rare cause of gastrointestinal bleeding

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2023.9812/2023

Letter

Capsule endoscopy diagnosis of gastrointestinal melanoma

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2023.9803/2023

Letter

Calcifying fibrous tumor and pathological analysis

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2023.9739/2023

Digestive Diseases Image

Endoscopic manifestations of jejunal choriocarcinoma

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2023.9714/2023

Letter

Endoscopic observation of a rare duodenal tumor

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2023.9679/2023

Letter

Endoscopic rescue of a fistulizing biliary plastic stent

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2023.9673/2023

Review

POEM from A to Z: current perspectives

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2023.9602/2023

Letter

MALT lymphoma of the colon: an endoscopic challenge

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2023.9595/2023

Letter

Duodenal stenosis surgical treatment in Crohn’s disease

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2023.9521/2023

Letter

Sigmoid volvulus management, only endoscopic devolvulation?

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2023.9488/2023

Letter

Isolated Jejunal Crohn's Disease: a challenging diagnosis

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2022.9423/2022

Letter

New technique for the endoscopic removal of long foreign bodies

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2023.9398/2022

Digestive Diseases Image

Whipple’s disease – A typical endoscopic finding of a rare disease

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2022.9338/2022

Letter

Perianal Paget’s disease

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2022.9304/2022

Digestive Diseases Image

A case of esophageal histoplasmosis mimicking carcinoma on endoscopy

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2023.9167/2022

Letter

Chinese dragon sign of ulcerative colitis

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2022.9154/2022

Digestive Diseases Image

A rare endoscopic pattern in a patient with gastroesophageal reflux disease

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2022.9124/2022

Digestive Diseases Image

Esophageal tuberculosis

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2022.9108/2022

Digestive Diseases Image

Esophagopleural fistula due to empyema necessitans

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2022.9085/2022

Letter

Ulcerative colitis exacerbated by strongyloidiasis

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2022.9044/2022

Digestive Diseases Image

Pneumatosis intestinalis: a rare endoscopic feature of colonic ischemia

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2022.8980/2022

Letter

Primary intestinal melanoma?

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2022.8944/2022

Letter

Intestinal amyloidosis: a diagnostic challenge

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2022.8934/2022

Digestive Diseases Image

Peristomal cutaneous Crohn's disease by contiguity

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2022.8909/2022

Letter

Successful gallstone ileus treatment by endoscopy

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2022.8898/2022

Letter

Digestive tract MALT lymphoma, an unusual location

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2022.8800/2022

Digestive Diseases Image

Esophageal epidermoid metaplasia: an unusual condition

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2022.8708/2022

Review

Clinical settings with tofacitinib in ulcerative colitis

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2022.8660/2022

Digestive Diseases Image

Ileal neuroendocrine tumor as an uncommon cause of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2022.8641/2022

Letter

Mesalazine induced interstitial pneumonitis in the COVID era

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2022.8635/2021

Letter

Anal neoplasia and perianal Crohn’s disease: myth or reality?

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2021.8317/2021

Digestive Diseases Image

A case of duodenal-type follicular lymphoma

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2021.8233/2021

Digestive Diseases Image

Endoscopic resection of a duodenal neuroendocrine tumor

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2021.8232/2021

Digestive Diseases Image

Duodenal-type follicular lymphoma: a silent tumor

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2021.8149/2021

Digestive Diseases Image

Primary or idiopathic intestinal pneumatosis: a rare casual endoscopic finding

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2021.8049/2021

Letter

Bochdalek hernia: use of capsule endoscopy

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2021.7760/2020

Digestive Diseases Image

Endoscopic forceps removal for complicated magnetic beads impaction

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2021.7731/2020

Digestive Diseases Image

Esophageal involvement in a patient with pemphigus vulgaris

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2020.7417/2020

Letter

Basic training in gastrointestinal endoscopy: recording images

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2020.7385/2020

Letter

The effect of Adacolumn® on ulcerative colitis with COVID-19

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2020.7156/2020

Letter

Sweet syndrome in severe ulcerative flare

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2020.6995/2020

Review

Advanced therapy by device-assisted enteroscopy

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2020.6971/2020

Letter

Luetic gastritis: an uncommon cause of gastritis

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2020.6870/2020

Letter

Gastric ulcer due to mucormycosis in a critical patient

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2020.6636/2019

Letter

Crohn’s disease in patients treated with etanercept

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2019.6554/2019

Letter

Primary gastric choriocarcinoma

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2020.6478/2019

Digestive Diseases Image

Jejunal schwannoma detected by video capsule endoscopy

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2020.6474/2019

Digestive Diseases Image

Capsule endoscopy, a useful tool for the diagnosis of a tapeworm infection

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2019.6346/2019

Editorial

Endoscopy units – Statu quo

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2019.6347/2019

Letter

Endoscopically diagnosed systemic mastocytosis

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2019.6246/2019

Digestive Diseases Image

A rare heterotopic gastric mucosa appearing between the muscularis mucosae and submucosa

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2019.6134/2018

Special Article

Quality indicators in gastroscopy. Gastroscopy procedure

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2019.6023/2018

Letter

Endoscopic management of Boerhaave’s syndrome

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2019.6013/2018

Digestive Diseases Image

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the main duct in a patient with pancreas divisum

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2019.5959/2018

Letter

Use of patency capsule in daily practice

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2019.5952/2018

Letter

Symptomatic exfoliative esophagitis induced by dabigatran

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2018.5747/2018

Special Article

The current situation of digestive endoscopy units in the Valencian Community

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2019.5676/2018

Special Article

Endoscopy and sedation: an inseparable binomial for the gastroenterologist

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2018.5585/2018

Digestive Diseases Image

Dysphagia and hematemesis caused by an intramural esophageal dissection

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2018.5471/2018

Letter to the Editor

GETTEMO position statement on bariatric endoscopic techniques as a voluntary medicine

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2017.5144/2017

Digestive Diseases Image

Metastasis of dermatofibrosarcoma diagnosed by capsule endoscopy

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2018.4900/2017

Letter to the Editor

Symptomatic retention of the Agile® patency capsule

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2017.4691/2016

Letter to the Editor

Ulcerative colitis with gastric and duodenal involvement

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2017.4685/2016

Editorial

Specialist care in the management of inflammatory bowel disease

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2016.4628/2016

Original

Mercaptopurine and inflammatory bowel disease: the other thiopurine

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2016.4546/2016

Letter to the Editor

Ball valve syndrome caused by a giant gastric Vanek’s tumor

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2017.4526/2016

Original

Multicenter study on the safety of bariatric endoscopy

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2017.4499/2016

Letter to the Editor

Endoscopic removal of a hashish packet

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2017.4504/2016

Letter to the Editor

Whipple’s disease under the vision of capsule endoscopy

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2016.4362/2016

Letter to the Editor

Asymptomatic bronchial aspiration of capsule endoscope: a significant complication

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2016.4363/2016

Letter to the Editor

Author´s reply: About human taeniasis and Taenia saginata diagnosis by endoscopy

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2016.4339/2016

Letter to the Editor

Adnexal localization of Crohn’s disease and recurrent massive ovary cysts

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2016.4301/2016

Letter to the Editor

About human taeniasis and Taenia saginata diagnosis by endoscopy

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2016.4297/2016

Letter to the Editor

Transanal submucosal endoscopic resection (TASER) by TEO system®

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2016.4154/2015

Case Report

Mesalamine-induced myopericarditis - A case report

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2016.4016/2015

Case Report

Metastatic Crohn’s disease in pediatrics

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2016.3948/2015

Letter to the Editor

Crohn’s disease and Sweet’s syndrome: A debut together

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2015.3842/2015

Case Report

Ovarian involvement in Crohn´s disease: A rare complication

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2015.3764/2015

Case Report

Atypical diagnosis diagnosis by endoscopic capsule: Whipple´s disease

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2015.3718/2015

Citation tools
Huguet J, Gómez Delgado E, Rubio S, Suárez Álvarez P, Vera Mendoza I, Paredes J, et all. Assessing inflammatory bowel disease monitoring procedures in Spain: insights from the IBD-PODCAST study. 11190/2025


Download to a citation manager

Download the citation for this article by clicking on one of the following citation managers:

Metrics
This article has received 14 visits.
This article has been downloaded 1 times.

Statistics from Dimensions


Statistics from Plum Analytics

Publication history

Received: 07/03/2025

Accepted: 13/06/2025

Online First: 27/06/2025

Published: 11/11/2025

Article revision time: 85 days

Article Online First time: 112 days

Article editing time: 249 days


Share
This article hasn't been rated yet.
Reader rating:
Valora este artículo:




Asociación Española de Ecografía Digestiva Sociedad Española de Endoscopia Digestiva Sociedad Española de Patología Digestiva
The Spanish Journal of Gastroenterology is the official organ of the Sociedad Española de Patología Digestiva, the Sociedad Española de Endoscopia Digestiva and the Asociación Española de Ecografía Digestiva
Cookie policy Privacy Policy Legal Notice © Copyright 2025 y Creative Commons. The Spanish Journal of Gastroenterology