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About the Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a broad term that describes conditions with chronic or recurring inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two most common forms of IBD are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
IBD affects approximately 1.4 million people in the United States. And its incidence is rising in minorities. The peak incidence of IBD is between 15-25 years of age with a second peak occurring later in life. IBD diminishes one’s quality of life and leads to high rates of disability.
The most effective treatment for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis requires a comprehensive team comprised of physical as well as psychological treatments. Maria T. Abreu, M.D., director of the Crohn’s and Colitis Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine established a goal to create a dedicated center for families affected by these debilitating diseases to receive specialized care.
Since its grand opening on April 30, 2013, the Chron’s and Colitis Center has offered a multidisciplinary approach to the care of the IBD patients to address their vast medical needs. Gastroenterologists with expertise in inflammatory bowel disease see patients alongside surgical experts. There is an on-site dietician to address the nutritional needs of this population; a consult with the dietician is included with the initial consultation. A clinical psychologist helps coordinate support groups for IBD patients. In all cases, a physician-extender aids in continuity of care, follow-up of laboratory and pathology results, and educating patients. When patients come to the center, all of their IBD related services are provided at one location to ensure continuity of care is received.
With respect to clinical research, funding the center also supports the implementation of a personalized medicine program. Personalized medicine is the most effective way to provide treatment for each individual; it transforms the traditional “one-size-fits-all” model of medicine by applying individual gene-based information to better manage a patient’s disease and to modify strategies for the prevention and treatment. The center selects patients who give DNA and tissue samples to be examined. The analysis of the samples provides knowledge about the individual genetic variation and how a patient would react to specific treatments. In addition, the Crohn’s and Colitis Center established the South Florida IBD database and biobank. Since little is known about the emergence of inflammatory bowel disease in recent immigrants from Latin America, this database and biobank is a unique resource. The samples from the personalized medicine program is also used for the database and biobank.
The educational mission of the Crohn’s and Colitis Center includes providing gastroenterology fellows with focused training in IBD. It also serves as an educational resource for gastroenterologists from Latin America who may apply to spend a month-long sabbatical with the Miller School Division of Digestive Health & Liver Diseases.