From theory to practice: a Belgian consensus on minimal monitoring strategies for patients with IBD treated with advanced therapies

Background and study aims: Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are chronic conditions requiring lifelong management, often involving advanced therapies. To harmonize the current heterogeneity in monitoring practices we developed a Belgian Standard of Care (SOC) guidance for patients with IBD treated with these advanced therapies. Methods: A multistep approach was adopted. First, a core team of IBD clinicians conducted a national survey to evaluate current practices and identify gaps. Next, a SOC guidance document was drafted and reviewed by multiple stakeholders, including physicians and IBD nurses from the Belgian IBD Research and Development (BIRD) group and patient organizations. Feedback was then incorporated to develop a consensus-based framework tailored to current Belgian clinical practices. Results: This SOC guidance outlines minimal follow-up requirements across treatment phases, emphasizing clinical, biochemical, endoscopic and cross-sectional assessments, while also discussing additional relevant outcomes such as quality of life. Conclusions: The SOC guidance document offers a comprehensive, consensus-based framework to homogenize the monitoring of patients with IBD receiving advanced therapies. By standardizing monitoring practices, it aims to enhance quality of care, safety and long-term outcomes, ensuring alignment with international standards while addressing specific national requirements and availabilities.