A Supporting System for Management of Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease during COVID-19 Outbreak: Iranian Experience-Study Protocol

Amir Anushiravani; Homayoon Vahedi; Hafez Fakheri; Fariborz Mansour-Ghanaei; Iradj Maleki; Siavosh Nasseri-Moghaddam; Hasan Vosoghinia; Mohammad Reza Ghadir; Ahmad Hormati; Nayyereh Aminisani; Amir Reza Radmard; Bardia Khosravi; Bahar Saberzadeh-Ardestani; Masoud Malekzadeh; Sudabeh Alatab; Anahita Sadeghi; Sarvenaz Salahi; Reza Malekzadeh; Ali Reza Sima

doi:10.34172/mejdd.2020.188

A Supporting System for Management of Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease during COVID-19 Outbreak: Iranian Experience-Study Protocol

Middle East J Dig Dis. 2020 Oct;12(4):238-245. doi: 10.34172/mejdd.2020.188.

Authors

Amir Anushiravani¹, Homayoon Vahedi¹, Hafez Fakheri², Fariborz Mansour-Ghanaei³, Iradj Maleki², Siavosh Nasseri-Moghaddam¹, Hasan Vosoghinia⁴, Mohammad Reza Ghadir⁵, Ahmad Hormati^{5

6}, Nayyereh Aminisani⁷, Amir Reza Radmard⁸, Bardia Khosravi¹, Bahar Saberzadeh-Ardestani¹, Masoud Malekzadeh¹, Sudabeh Alatab¹, Anahita Sadeghi¹, Sarvenaz Salahi⁹, Reza Malekzadeh¹, Ali Reza Sima¹

Affiliations

¹ Digestive Disease Research Center, Digestive Disease Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
² Gut and Liver Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
³ Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
⁴ Gastroenterology and Hematology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad, Iran.
⁵ Gastroenterology and Hepatology Diseases Research Center, Qom University of Medical Science, Iran.
⁶ Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
⁷ Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences, Neyshabur, Iran.
⁸ Department of Radiology, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
⁹ Minimally Invasive Surgery Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the health care infrastructure dramatically, with abundant resources necessarily being redirected to COVID-19 patients and their care. Also, patients with chronic diseases like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may be affected in several ways during this pandemic. METHODS We used the Iranian registry of Crohn's and colitis (IRCC) infrastructure. We called and sent messages to follow-up and support the care of all registered patients. Besides, we prepared and distributed educational materials for these patients and physicians to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection. We risk-stratified them and prepared outpatient clinics and hospitalization guidance for IBD patients. RESULTS Of 13165 Iranian patients with IBD, 51 have been diagnosed as having COVID-19. IBD patients made 1920 hotline calls. Among the patients with suspicious presentations, 14 COVID-19 infections were diagnosed. Additionally, 1782 patients with IBD from five provinces actively phone-called among whom 28 definite cases were diagnosed. CONCLUSION IBD patients' follow-up could help in diagnosing the affected IBD patients with COVID-19. Additionally, the performance of protective actions and preparing the patients and physicians for decisive proceedings are the principles of protection of IBD patients.

Keywords: COVID-19; Care; Inflammatory bowel disease; Protocols.