The predictive value of intestinal ultrasound for treatment response in inflammatory bowel disease: a systematic review and pooled data analysis

Key Points

• This research aims to evaluate the predictive value of intestinal ultrasound for assessing treatment response in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
• Conducted a systematic review of existing studies on intestinal ultrasound and treatment response.
• Analyzed pooled data from studies involving patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC).
• Assessed changes in bowel wall thickness (BWT) over time after treatment initiation.
• Intestinal ultrasound can predict treatment response as early as 4-8 weeks after initiation.
• In anti-TNF-treated CD patients, a 23% decrease in BWT at 4-8 weeks and 27% at 12-16 weeks indicates positive outcomes.