At IBDENC, we believe in engage, educate and empower. Our IBD Journal Scan is one way we deliver on that promise: by curating key articles from high-impact journals every month, we offer a clear, expert-driven snapshot of what’s new and noteworthy in IBD research. Whether you're a clinician, researcher, or educator, this resource helps you stay on the frontline of cutting-edge science, with older scans archived so you can revisit past insights as well.
IBD Journal Scan
Key articles from high impact journals in last month
MAY-2026
This month’s IBD research highlights the growing role of intestinal ultrasound (IUS) and evolving treatment strategies. Multiple studies confirm IUS as a reliable, non-invasive tool for early prediction of treatment response and long-term outcomes in both adult and pediatric Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, with bowel wall thickness emerging as a key marker. The EXTENT consensus establishes standardized IUS parameters for assessing bowel damage, supporting its integration into clinical practice.
Therapeutically, real-world data show comparable effectiveness of tofacitinib and ustekinumab in ulcerative colitis, though tofacitinib may benefit patients with multiple prior treatment failures. Ustekinumab also demonstrates safety and sustained efficacy in pediatric Crohn’s disease, while offering a potential option in stricturing disease despite high intervention rates.
Additionally, dietary research suggests emulsifiers may alter gut microbiota and metabolites without causing short-term inflammation, indicating potential benefits of reducing their intake.
Predictive value for Bowel ultrasound for treatment response in IBD
This systematic review evaluated the role of intestinal ultrasound (IUS) in predicting treatment response in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Thirty-one studies (Crohn’s disease [CD], ulcerative colitis [UC], and acute severe UC [ASUC]) were included. In CD, early IUS (week 4–8) identified responders, with greater bowel wall thickness (BWT) reduction in responders than non-responders. Pooled analysis of anti-TNF–treated CD patients showed that a ≥23% BWT reduction at 4–8 weeks (AUROC 0.82) and ≥27% at 12–16 weeks (AUROC 0.78) predicted response. In UC, early BWT reduction predicted endoscopic remission, while in ASUC, early changes predicted need for salvage therapy. Overall, IUS is a reliable early predictor of treatment outcomes in IBD.
Bowel Ultrasound in paediatric CD
This prospective study assessed intestinal ultrasound (IUS) in predicting outcomes in pediatric Crohn’s disease over 1 year. Sixty-one patients were followed, showing moderate-to-strong correlation between IUS and endoscopy. Higher bowel wall thickness (BWT) was associated with increased risk of ileocecal resection and lower likelihood of remission. BWT significantly decreased as early as 1 month after treatment. At 6 months, BWT ≤2.8 mm predicted treatment response (73% sensitivity, 84% specificity), while BWT ≤2.5 mm at 1 year predicted remission (72% sensitivity, 90% specificity). Overall, IUS is a reliable, non-invasive tool for monitoring disease activity and predicting long-term outcomes in pediatric Crohn’s disease, with lower remission thresholds than in adults.
Ultrasound parameters to measure Bowel damage in CD
The EXTENT study used an international Delphi consensus to define intestinal ultrasound (IUS) parameters for assessing bowel damage in Crohn’s disease. Thirty experts agreed on 22 statements, including key ultrasonographic features of stricturing and penetrating lesions, and standardized image acquisition protocols for evaluating the Lémann Index (LI). IUS was aligned with established imaging methods such as magnetic resonance enterography and colonoscopy. However, no consensus was reached for defining grade 1 stricturing lesions. Overall, this study establishes the first standardized framework for using IUS to assess bowel damage, supporting its role as a non-invasive alternative in clinical practice and research, while highlighting the need for further validation in specific lesion grading.
Ustekinumab vs Tofacitinib in Anti-TNF experienced UC - Real world data
The TORUS study compared real-world effectiveness of tofacitinib and ustekinumab in ulcerative colitis patients previously exposed to anti-TNF therapy. Among 289 patients, corticosteroid-free remission at week 16 was similar (37.8% vs 35.8%). No significant differences were observed in clinical remission, endoscopic or histologic improvement, or long-term outcomes, including relapse and treatment discontinuation. However, tofacitinib showed greater effectiveness in patients with prior exposure to ≥3 biologics. Factors such as primary biologic failure and multiple prior therapies were associated with ustekinumab failure. Overall, both treatments demonstrate comparable efficacy, but tofacitinib may be preferred in patients with multiple prior treatment failures.
Ustekinumab in Paediatric CD
The UNITI Jr phase 3 study evaluated ustekinumab in pediatric Crohn’s disease patients (≥40 kg). Among 48 patients, 52.1% achieved clinical remission and 93.8% showed clinical response at Week 8. Endoscopic response was observed in 29.8% at Week 16. At Week 52, clinical remission rates were 60.0% (every 12 weeks) and 43.5% (every 8 weeks). Ustekinumab was well tolerated, with low discontinuation (6.3%), low immunogenicity, and comparable drug levels to adults. Overall, ustekinumab demonstrated sustained efficacy and a favorable safety profile for induction and maintenance therapy in moderately to severely active pediatric Crohn’s disease.
Ustekinumab in Ileal structuring CD
This international multicenter study evaluated ustekinumab in ileal stricturing Crohn’s disease. Among 57 biologic-experienced patients, intervention rates (endoscopic balloon dilation or surgery) were 35%, 45%, and 69% at 12, 24, and 48 months. Treatment persistence declined from 78% at 12 months to 52% at 48 months. Obstructive symptoms occurred in 31% and 49% at 12 and 24 months. Prior biologic use, recent dilation, increased bowel wall thickness, and longer symptom duration were associated with poorer outcomes. Overall, ustekinumab may be a reasonable option in this challenging population, though many patients still require intervention, highlighting the need for further prospective studies.
Effect of dietary emulsifies on the intestines - An RCT
This randomized placebo-controlled trial evaluated the effects of five dietary emulsifiers on gut health in 60 healthy participants. After a 2-week emulsifier-free diet (EFD), cholesterol levels significantly decreased. During 4 weeks of emulsifier supplementation, gut microbial composition changed, and short-chain fatty acid levels decreased, particularly with carboxymethyl cellulose. However, no significant effects were observed on intestinal inflammation, systemic inflammation, or metabolic markers. Carrageenan intake increased intestinal permeability compared with baseline. Overall, while emulsifiers altered microbiome-related metabolites, they did not induce measurable inflammation in the short term. These findings suggest potential gut health benefits of reducing dietary emulsifiers, though longer-term studies are needed.