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Review
. 2020 Jun 5;4(3):320-323.
doi: 10.1002/jgh3.12362. eCollection 2020 Jun.

Asian Pacific Association of Gastroenterology (APAGE) Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Working Party guidelines on IBD management during the COVID-19 pandemic

Khoon Lin Ling  1   2 , Ida Hilmi  3 , Raja Affendi Raja Ali  4 , Rupert W L Leong  5 , Wai Keung Leung  6 , Siew Chien Ng  7 , Kai Chun Wu  8 , Min Hu Chen  9 , Zhi Hua Ran  10 , Tadakazu Hisamatsu  11 , Vineet Ahuja  12 , Govind K Makharia  12 , Rupa Banerjee  13 , Shu Chen Wei  14 , Deng Chyang Wu  15 , Pises Pisespongsa  16 , Byong Duk Ye  17 , Jose Sollano  18 , Marcellus Simadibrata  19 , Sai Wei Chuah  20 , Choon Jin Ooi  2   20
Affiliations
Review

Asian Pacific Association of Gastroenterology (APAGE) Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Working Party guidelines on IBD management during the COVID-19 pandemic

Khoon Lin Ling et al. JGH Open. .

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic, secondary to SARS-CoV-2, has resulted in high mortality and morbidity worldwide. As inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic disease, and most patients are on long-term immunosuppressive agents, there is understandable concern, particularly in terms of therapy. In view of this, experts in IBD across the Asia Pacific region were invited to put together recommendations based on their experience and the currently available data. In general, most IBD therapies (with a few exceptions) can be continued safely, and the general consensus is that maintaining disease control should remain the main principle of management. In addition, social distancing measures and the appropriate use of personal protective equipment should be strictly adhered to. During the current pandemic, face-to-face clinic follow ups and non-urgent procedures should be kept to a minimum.

Keywords: COVID‐19; Crohn's disease; inflammatory bowel diseases; ulcerative colitis.

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