Flare pathways to support GPs in managing inflammatory bowel disease

The two main types of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. IBD is a lifelong condition that causes inflammation and ulceration in the bowels, affecting 500,0001,2 people in the UK. Symptoms include urgent and frequent diarrhoea, sometimes with blood and mucus, extreme fatigue, weight loss and anaemia. IBD can also cause extra-intestinal symptoms in the joints, skin, eyes and liver and the disease can have a significant impact on relationships, work and education.3 IBD is a relapsing-remitting condition, meaning patients can have periods where their symptoms are largely under control and periods of flare-ups where symptoms