New AGA guidelines can help gastroenterologists treating patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recommendations for gastroenterologists & their patients who have IBD:
- During this pandemic, patients with IBD should continue IBD therapies including scheduled infusions.
- Having IBD does not appear to increase the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection or the development of COVID-19.
- Instructions for patients with IBD who develop COVID-19 (fever, respiratory symptoms, digestive symptoms, etc.):
- Stop thiopurines, methotrexate, tofacitinib.
- Stop biological therapies (including anti-TNF, ustekinumab, vedolizumab).
- Can restart therapies after complete resolution of COVID-19 symptoms. Patients should always speak with their health care team before stopping any medication.
- Doctors should submit cases of IBD and confirmed COVID-19 to the SECURE-IBD registry at COVIDIBD.org.
Source-Eurekalert