[Position statement of the Spanish Society of Primary Care Physicians (SEMERGEN) and Spanish Working Group on Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis (GETECCU) on the management of inflammatory bowel disease in Primary Care]

Abstract

Primary Care is the first point of contact for most patients after the onset of symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Establishing an initial diagnostic process based on compatible symptoms and agreed criteria and referral pathways, depending on the degree of suspicion and the patient's situation, can reduce diagnostic delays. Once the patient is referred to the Digestive specialist and the diagnosis of IBD is established, a treatment and follow-up plan is structured. The management of the patient must be shared with the participation of the family practitioners in the diagnosis and treatment of concomitant or intercurrent pathologies, the recognition of flare-ups or complications (of IBD or treatments), education tasks or adherence control. With the purpose of developing a comprehensive guide on the management of IBD aimed at Primary Care doctors, we have developed this positioning document collaboratively between the Spanish Society of Primary Care Physicians (SEMERGEN) and the Spanish Working Group on Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis (GETECCU).

Keywords: Atención primaria; Diagnosis; Diagnóstico; Enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal; GETECCU; Gastroenterology; Gastroenterología; Inflammatory bowel disease; Management; Manejo; Primary care; SEMERGEN.