Inflammatory bowel disease in Digestive Disease Week 2016: advances in epidemiology, follow-up, treatment monitoring, optimisation and individual tailoring, and colon cancer prevention.

In Digestive Disease Week 2016, interesting data were presented on the eventual role of certain foods in inflammatory bowel disease, although the value of these data is relative. Also of interest were epidemiological studies, of which several analysed the natural history of the disease. Some presentations dealt with the search for individual predictive factors, a pressing need in clinical practice. Unfortunately, some of the findings presented were of dubious value. A study suggesting that a simple parameter as increased blood monocytes could be a clear predictive factor of poor outcome could perhaps be highlighted (the results were striking but had multiple limitations). In contrast, more interesting data were presented on monitoring and optimising biological therapy in the search for an individually-tailored approach. New studies were presented on the levels of distinct anti-TNF agents, vedolizumab and even ustekinumab. One study aimed to estimate the safety of anti-TNF agents on the basis of the patient's genetic (and clinical) features. There is no new evidence that will change our clinical practice. Equally, the data on colon cancer prevention will not modify our clinical practice, although one study reported a promising new strategy, consisting of the use of a new stool DNA test, with very promising results in the detection of high-grade dysplasia or colorectal cancer in these patients.