Inflammatory Bowel Disease: An Update

Inflammatory bowel disease is a chronic condition which poses challenges in both diagnosis and management. Here we will present an update in this condition to help GPs to manage patients with chronic inflammatory bowel disease in the community.

IBD is a disease that affects 1 in 250 people in Australia. The disease is extremely variable in presentation and course, and treatment can be difficult. Medical management has over recent years evolved to include immune based therapies. It is important that GPs have a high index of suspicion of IBD and initiate appropriate treatment for patients undergoing relapse of the disease. GPs also have a vital role in the monitoring of patients, often in collaboration with gastroenterologists, particularly for those patients on immunosuppressant therapy.

Learning outcomes:

By the end of this session you:

•    Be able to confidently diagnose Inflammatory Bowel Disease
•    Increase knowledge in modern therapies in medical management
•    Improve management of an IBD patient with flare of symptoms in the community 
•    Increase understanding in special shared care areas such as vaccination, bone health, skin health and pregnancy

SPEAKERS:
Dr Zina Valaydon
BmedSci, MBBS, PhD, FRACP
Zina Valaydon is a consultant gastroenterologist and hepatologist.  She is the acting Head of Gastroenterology and head of the Hepatology Unit at the Western Hospital. She is also an accredited specialist in obesity management. 
Zina graduated from The University of Melbourne with a double degree in Medicine and Surgery and Biomedical Science and she is a fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians. Zina holds a PhD from the University of Melbourne and conducts research in liver disease. She is a lecturer for the University of Melbourne.

Dr Elizabeth Chow
MBBS, MD, FRACP
Elizabeth Chow is a consultant gastroenterologist.  She obtained MBBS and Doctorate of Medicine degree from the University of Melbourne. She is a fellow of the Royal Australian College of Physicians. 
Elizabeth is the Luminal and IBD Lead at Western Health. She has special interest in IBD and colorectal cancer and genetics. She is engaged in active research in IBD.