How to assess and document endoscopies in IBD patients by including standard scoring systems

Abstract

Endoscopy has become an essential tool for effective management of patients with inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. The endoscopic management of inflammatory bowel disease ranges from diagnosing the disease, assessing the disease's extent, and activity to monitor the responses to various medical therapies with assessment of mucosal healing, serving as a predictor of disease course and response to therapy to finally treating the disease's complications. In general, the use of endoscopic scoring systems has been recommended for assessing the activity of the disease, and the prognosis and efficacy of medical treatment. However, many of currently available endoscopic scoring systems are often too complicated for their routine use in clinical practice, lacking adequate interobserver agreement and formal validation. In this review, we will discuss how we should be assessing and documenting endoscopies in inflammatory bowel disease patients and incorporating standard scoring systems into patients' care.