Rational Monitoring of Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Remission: Results From the Danish DK‐MONITOR Delphi Consensus Study
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: ABSTRACT Background Monitoring strategies for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in remission vary widely in clinical practice, reflecting limited evidence and a lack of consensus. With increasing numbers of patients living long term with IBD, there is a need for rational, clinically meaningful approaches to remission‐phase monitoring. Methods DK‐MONITOR was conducted as a national, multidisciplinary Delphi consensus study in Denmark during 2025–2026. Gastroenterologists and IBD nurses from centres providing specialist IBD care developed and voted on draft statements addressing the monitoring of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis in whom objective remission had previously been confirmed. Statements were evaluated using anonymous electronic voting, with consensus predefined as ≥ 70% agreement. All statements were discussed at a face‐to‐face national consensus meeting, and statements not achieving consensus were revised and re‐voted. Results A total of 28 gastroenterologists and 19 IBD nurses participated. Fifty draft statements were evaluated in the first voting round; 25 were subjected to a second voting round, and 22 achieved final consensus. The consensus supports monitoring strategies based primarily on patient‐reported outcomes and biomarkers, with selective use of endoscopy, imaging and therapeutic drug monitoring. Routine use of invasive investigations in stable patients was generally discouraged. A structured, conservative monitoring approach was agreed for patients with mild Crohn's disease managed without maintenance therapy. No consensus was reached for monitoring strategies in ulcerative colitis treated solely with 5‐aminosalicylates. Conclusion DK‐MONITOR provides a pragmatic, clinician‐oriented framework for monitoring patients with IBD in remission, emphasising biomarker‐based assessment, individualised follow‐up and avoidance of unnecessary investigations. Adaptation may be required before implementation in other healthcare settings.
Source: JCC Plus
DOI: 10.1002/jcc5.70079
Authors: Johan Burisch, Jakob B. Seidelin, Marianne Kajbæk Vester‐Andersen, Signe Wildt, Klaus Theede, Else Kjær Mikkelsen, Anders Lødrup, Mette Esbjørn, Pernille Larsen, Dorte Vind Andersen, Charlotte Riddersholm, Ulrich Martin Bick, Christiane Bro Simonsen, Lone Trier Kronkjær, Rikke Edelbo, Anders Dige, Jørgen Agnholt, Anne‐Mette Haase, Lars Koch Hansen, Anne Louise Brix Nørgaard, Osama Karim Abed, Heidi Ivarsen, Stine Hald, Charlotte Teglgaard, Christina Rasmussen, Eva Fjordside, Ebbe Langholz, Pia Berg, Torben Nathan, Rune Wilkens, Julie Gaardbo, Vladimir Gancho, Christina Juul de Blanck, Tina Weien Kristensen, Julie Rasmussen, Signe Wiese, Magid Al‐Khalaf, Atef Kinani, Charlotte Sørensen, Anja Poulsen, Torben Knudsen, Lone Larsen, Jens Kjeldsen
Institutions: University of Copenhagen, Amager Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev Hospital, Regionshospitalet Herning, Aalborg University Hospital, Odense University Hospital, Aarhus University Hospital, Vejle Sygehus, Regionshospitalet Silkeborg, Bispebjerg Hospital, Zealand University Hospital Køge, Slagelse Hospital, Midt- og Vestsjællands Hospital, Rigshospitalet, University of Southern Denmark, Hospital South West Jutland, Aalborg University
Language: English
Topic: Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Subfield: Gastroenterology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Funder: AbbVie
OpenAlex ID: W7204643111