The Guest Editors have focused on methods of diagnosing and evaluating IBD to help guide optimal treatment to maximize clinical outcomes and minimize risks. Authors have provided state-of-the-art updates with practical information/guidelines/algorithms and cutting-edge data for incorporation into practice. The first set of articles deals with endoscopy: its role in diagnosis and monitoring IBD; the growing importance of chromoendoscopy in IBD surveillance exams; assessment of post-operative recurrence; and finally the emerging role of capsule endoscopy. The second section focuses on specific scenarios that IBD physicians encounter frequently: health maintenance in IBD focusing on proper vaccinations; the growing problem of Clostridium difficile in IBD; assessment of pouch problems; optimal evaluation of perianal disease; the state of the art in using thiopurines including use of allopurinol to optimize metabolites and optimizing the use of infliximab by measuring levels and antibodies to infliximab; factors to consider in choosing monotherapy versus combination therapy and communication of risk/benefit to patients; and finally disability assessment in IBD. The third and final section highlights noninvasive methods to evaluate IBD: clinical predictors of aggressive or disabling disease; the evolving role of specific antibodies in diagnosing, subtyping and most recently prognosticating in IBD; stool markers (calproctectin and lactoferrin) for evaluating and monitoring IBD; the growing role of imaging modalities with emphasis on MR enterography and CT enterography; and finally, the genetics of IBD and the potential role of genetic testing in the diagnosis/prognosis and tailoring of therapy.

The Guest Editors have focused on methods of diagnosing and evaluating IBD to help guide optimal treatment to maximize clinical outcomes and minimize risks. Authors have provided state-of-the-art updates with practical information/guidelines/algorithms and cutting-edge data for incorporation into practice. The first set of articles deals with endoscopy: its role in diagnosis and monitoring IBD; the growing importance of chromoendoscopy in IBD surveillance exams; assessment of post-operative recurrence; and finally the emerging role of capsule endoscopy. The second section focuses on specific scenarios that IBD physicians encounter frequently: health maintenance in IBD focusing on proper vaccinations; the growing problem of Clostridium difficile in IBD; assessment of pouch problems; optimal evaluation of perianal disease; the state of the art in using thiopurines including use of allopurinol to optimize metabolites and optimizing the use of infliximab by measuring levels and antibodies to infliximab; factors to consider in choosing monotherapy versus combination therapy and communication of risk/benefit to patients; and finally disability assessment in IBD. The third and final section highlights noninvasive methods to evaluate IBD: clinical predictors of aggressive or disabling disease; the evolving role of specific antibodies in diagnosing, subtyping and most recently prognosticating in IBD; stool markers (calproctectin and lactoferrin) for evaluating and monitoring IBD; the growing role of imaging modalities with emphasis on MR enterography and CT enterography; and finally, the genetics of IBD and the potential role of genetic testing in the diagnosis/prognosis and tailoring of therapy.

In this issue of Gastroenterology Clinics, guest editor Dr. Marla Dubinsky brings her considerable expertise to the topic of Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Pediatric patients with IBD become adult patients with IBD, making it imperative that children receive early, effective intervention to optimize their growth and development, minimize disease complications, and support patients on their journey from childhood to adulthood. In this issue, top experts provide up-to-date information that helps provide an evidence-based approach for each patient. Contains 11 practice-oriented topics including optimizing the transition and transfer of care in pediatric IBD; building a self-management toolkit for pediatric IBD patients; choosing the right therapy at the right time for pediatric IBD: does sequence matter?; the state of clinical trials in pediatric IBD; the role of diet in pediatric IBD; and more. Provides in-depth clinical reviews on pediatric inflammatory bowel disease, offering actionable insights for clinical practice. Presents the latest information on this timely, focused topic under the leadership of experienced editors in the field. Authors synthesize and distill the latest research and practice guidelines to create clinically significant, topic-based reviews.

In this issue of Gastroenterology Clinics, guest editor Dr. Sunanda V. Kane brings her considerable expertise to the topic of Medical and Surgical Management of Crohn’s Disease. Approximately 3 million people worldwide suffer with Crohn’s Disease, and this issue provides a thorough review of current treatment and management strategies in various patient populations. Topics include fecal microbiota transplant, microbiome-targeting diet, anti-TNF therapy in pediatric IBD patients, and many more. Contains 13 practice-oriented topics including mimics of Crohn’s; newer therapies for Crohn’s disease; diet and nutrition in Crohn’s disease; pediatric management of Crohn’s disease; and more. Provides in-depth clinical reviews of medical and surgical management of Crohn’s disease, offering actionable insights for clinical practice. Presents the latest information on this timely, focused topic under the leadership of experienced editors in the field. Authors synthesize and distill the latest research and practice guidelines to create clinically significant, topic-based reviews.

Together with Consulting Editor, Dr. Alan Buchman, Dr. Scott Lee has put together a state-of-the-art issue of Gastroenterology Clinics devoted to Ulcerative Colitis (UC). He has selected expert authors to contribute clinical reviews that provide the latest clinical findings and recommendations. Articles are devoted to the following topics: Epidemiology and pathogenesis of UC; Making initial diagnosis of UC and ruling out other diseases that mimic UC; Assessing severity of disease; Initial medical treatment of UC; Treatment of UC with steroids; Biologic therapy in UC; Non-biologic immune suppression in UC; Microbiome and fecal transplant in UC; Health maintenance in UC, including bone density scan, vaccination recommendations, cancer screening; Women's issues and UC; Risk of colon cancer and recommended surveillance strategies in UC patients; Surgical management of UC, indications and outcomes from colectomy; and Management of J-pouches. Readers will come away with the latest clinical recommendations they need to improve outcomes in patients with UC.

Dr. Charles Lightdale selected top expert Dr. Charles Lichtiger to serve as Guest Editor for this issue of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Clinics devoted to Inflammatory Bowel Disease. The issue uniquely addresses the questions that arise when trying to treat and diagnose IBD. Further, it provides information on what the future might look like for endoscopists. Articles are devoted to the following topics: The Era of Anti-TNF’s is Over: What do we know, don’t know, and yearn to know; Prognostigating the Course of IBD- Is it an art or Science; Treat to Target: What is Target and How do we Treat; The Microbiota and the Immune Response: What is the Chicken and What is the Egg; The Role of the Radiologist in Determining Disease Severity; Capsule Endoscopy and Small Bowel Enteroscopy: Have they Rendered the Radiologist Obsolete; Dysplasia Surveillance; Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection: Are We Transitioning to it; Strictures in Crohn’s Diagnosis and UC: Is there a role for the gastroenterologist, endoscopist, or is it always the surgeon; Endoscopy in the Postoperative Patient with CD or UC: Does it Translate to better Outcomes; The Role of Histology in Determining Disease Activity, Treatment, and Prognosis: Are we there yet; Perianal Disease: The role of Endoscopy, EUS, EUA, Laser Therapy, Sealing Agents, and Stem Cells; Imaging of Mucosal Inflammation: Current Developments and Future Perspectives for IBD; Surgery in IBD: Is there any need for Open Procedures. Readers will come away with a state-of-the-art understanding about the current and future clinical picture for endoscopy in IBD.

The guest editors have assembled expert authors to discuss issues in gastroenterology unique to female patients. After reading the articles in this issue, readers should be able to determine whether gender influences diagnosis and treatment of functional disorders; evaluate problems in the pregnant patient; explain immune diseases of the GI and discuss unique genetic aspects of Lynch Syndrome and IBD.