Faculty mentor/PI email address
spatel11@virtua.org
Keywords
ultrasound, gastroenterology, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, point of care ultrasound
IRB or IACUC Protocol Number
G25042
Date of Presentation
5-6-2026 12:00 AM
Poster Abstract
Background:
Point-of-care intestinal ultrasound (IUS) enables real-time assessment of bowel inflammation, and it is underutilized in the United States. IUS provides visualization of bowel wall thickness, vascularity, and complications without radiation or bowel preparation. Prior studies demonstrate that IUS changes management and reduces reliance on invasive testing. This study hypothesizes that IUS will impact downstream clinical decision-making in a U.S. outpatient IBD cohort by decreasing invasive procedures and supporting appropriate treatment decisions.
Methods:
A retrospective cohort study was performed. Logistic regression and chi-square tests assessed associations between IUS use, colonoscopy referral, hospital utilization, and treatment modification. A derived “surveillance-due” variable incorporating disease duration and Montreal classification was included to adjust for colonoscopy timing based on surveillance guidelines.
Results:
Among 266 patients, 102 received IUS and 164 did not. IUS use was associated with fewer colonoscopy referrals. Patients with IUS were 0.28 times as likely to be referred for colonoscopy than those without IUS (19.6% vs 46.3%; p < 0.001). Additionally, patients demonstrating inactive disease on ultrasound were often maintained on current therapy without downstream testing, supporting the role of IUS in appropriate therapeutic restraint.
Conclusions:
Incorporation of point-of-care IUS into routine IBD management significantly decreased colonoscopy referrals. IUS provided real-time, objective assessment, enabling clinicians to confidently maintain therapy in patients with inactive disease while avoiding unnecessary invasive procedures. These findings support broader integration of IUS as a complementary tool for IBD monitoring, with potential to reduce procedural burden while maintaining high-quality care.
Disciplines
Diagnosis | Digestive System Diseases | Medicine and Health Sciences | Other Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment
Included in
Diagnosis Commons, Digestive System Diseases Commons, Other Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment Commons
Point-of-Care Intestinal Ultrasound is Associated with Reduced Colonoscopy Utilization and Improved Clinical Decision-Making in IBD
Background:
Point-of-care intestinal ultrasound (IUS) enables real-time assessment of bowel inflammation, and it is underutilized in the United States. IUS provides visualization of bowel wall thickness, vascularity, and complications without radiation or bowel preparation. Prior studies demonstrate that IUS changes management and reduces reliance on invasive testing. This study hypothesizes that IUS will impact downstream clinical decision-making in a U.S. outpatient IBD cohort by decreasing invasive procedures and supporting appropriate treatment decisions.
Methods:
A retrospective cohort study was performed. Logistic regression and chi-square tests assessed associations between IUS use, colonoscopy referral, hospital utilization, and treatment modification. A derived “surveillance-due” variable incorporating disease duration and Montreal classification was included to adjust for colonoscopy timing based on surveillance guidelines.
Results:
Among 266 patients, 102 received IUS and 164 did not. IUS use was associated with fewer colonoscopy referrals. Patients with IUS were 0.28 times as likely to be referred for colonoscopy than those without IUS (19.6% vs 46.3%; p < 0.001). Additionally, patients demonstrating inactive disease on ultrasound were often maintained on current therapy without downstream testing, supporting the role of IUS in appropriate therapeutic restraint.
Conclusions:
Incorporation of point-of-care IUS into routine IBD management significantly decreased colonoscopy referrals. IUS provided real-time, objective assessment, enabling clinicians to confidently maintain therapy in patients with inactive disease while avoiding unnecessary invasive procedures. These findings support broader integration of IUS as a complementary tool for IBD monitoring, with potential to reduce procedural burden while maintaining high-quality care.