Management of Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease Hospitalized in Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

Patients with chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) [Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis] are more likely to be hospitalized in intensive care unit because of their immunosuppressive and/or biologic therapy (sometimes in combotherapy) which is associated with an increased risk of infections especially of the respiratory track either because of an increased risk of deep vein thrombosis or arterial thrombosis. These complications, directly or not related to inflammatory bowel disease, are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Some of these complications can be prevented, in particular by appropriate vaccination of immunosuppressed patients and by the systematic prescription of a low molecular weight heparin in any patient with a flare of IBD and/or hospitalized for any reason.