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A bright, empty clinical consultation room with sunlight streaming through frosted glass windows, a closed medication cabinet on the white wall, soft violet ambient light, no people present

Sourced explainer· Reviewed 1 July 2026

Can Antibiotics Treat Ulcerative Colitis? What a Cochrane Review Found

Researchers pooled data from multiple randomised trials to test whether antibiotics can help with UC remission. The findings are cautiously promising, but come with important caveats.

A quiet clinical room at dawn, a clean metal tray with sealed purple-topped blood sample tubes on a white laboratory counter, soft violet ambient light falling through a frosted window onto a calm medical space, small potted plant on the sill, no people visible, no text, no labels, photographic, depopulated healthcare setting

Sourced explainer· Reviewed 29 June 2026

Why Crohn's Disease Is More Likely to Cause Anaemia Than Ulcerative Colitis: What a 2026 Systematic Review Found

A 2026 systematic review published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences examined why anaemia is more prevalent in Crohn's disease than in ulcerative colitis, identifying the key molecular and physiological mechanisms that drive the difference.

A calm community clinic room at dawn, a clean white counter holding a single sealed single-dose vial and an unopened syringe in sterile packaging, soft violet ambient light falling through a frosted window, a small potted plant on the sill, no people visible, no text, no labels, photographic, depopulated healthcare setting

Sourced explainer· Reviewed 29 June 2026

Vaccines and IBD: What the Guidelines Say About Timing Around Biologics and Immunosuppression

For people with inflammatory bowel disease on immunosuppressive treatment, vaccination is a planned, timing-sensitive part of care. International guidelines agree on a few clear principles: sort out vaccines early, give live vaccines before treatment where possible, and rely on inactivated vaccines once treatment has started.

A hospital recovery corridor with a violet-toned indigo curtain partially drawn across an open doorway, soft overhead light falling on a clean clinical floor, no people visible, quiet and calm healthcare atmosphere, no text

Sourced explainer· Reviewed 28 June 2026

Negative-Pressure Wound Dressings After Stoma Reversal: What Seven Randomised Trials Found

A 2026 GRADE-based systematic review and meta-analysis of seven randomised controlled trials compared negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) with conventional dressings after stoma reversal surgery, examining surgical site infection rates and healing outcomes.

Empty paediatric hospital consultation room, two padded chairs and a low desk with a closed binder and a cup of pencils, large window with sheer curtains letting in natural afternoon light with a soft violet ambient cast, no people, no visible text, photorealistic documentary style, clean and warm

Sourced explainer· Reviewed 27 June 2026

Anti-TNF Drugs for Children With Crohn's Disease: What a 2025 Cochrane Systematic Review Found

A 2025 Cochrane systematic review examined the randomised controlled trial evidence on tumour necrosis factor-alpha antagonists, including infliximab and adalimumab, for treating Crohn's disease in children and adolescents, a population in which treatment decisions carry particular weight given the needs of a developing body.

Row of small glass medicine vials arranged on a clean white clinical surface inside a light box, soft violet ambient light from the left, no labels or text visible, shallow depth of field, no people, pharmaceutical product photography

Sourced explainer· Reviewed 26 June 2026

Which Biologic Medicines Help Crohn's Disease Remission? A 2026 Cochrane Network Review Compares Them All

A 2026 systematic review and network meta-analysis in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews examined the full range of biologic and advanced therapies for inducing and maintaining remission in Crohn's disease, providing the most comprehensive head-to-head evidence comparison to date.

Empty wooden reading desk in a quiet study, an open notebook with a fountain pen resting across it, a small potted fern plant to one side, soft violet ambient light streaming from a frosted window to the left, no people, no legible text visible on notebook pages, photographic

Sourced explainer· Reviewed 26 June 2026

Can IBD Affect Memory and Thinking? A 2026 Systematic Review of 66 Studies Investigates

A systematic review published in the Journal of Crohn's & Colitis in May 2026 searched PubMed and Scopus through August 2024, analysing 66 studies from population research, genetic investigations, and preclinical models, and found that patients with IBD may exhibit impaired cognitive function, particularly in memory, attention, and executive processing, with disease activity, chronic inflammation, and psychological stress among the contributing factors identified.

Empty hospital pre-operative preparation corridor, stainless steel instrument trays on a side counter, sterile supply packages arranged on shelves, soft violet ambient light filtering through frosted glass panels casting a gentle purple hue across white walls and floor tiles, no people, no text, photographic, clinical and quiet

Sourced explainer· Reviewed 25 June 2026

Wound Healing After Stoma Reversal: What a 2024 Cochrane Review Found

A 2024 Cochrane systematic review and meta-analysis compared two techniques for closing the skin wound after stoma reversal and found that one approach was associated with a significantly lower rate of surgical site infection.

A quiet clinical supply counter in a stoma care clinic at dusk, neatly arranged bandage rolls and sealed foil-packed skin barrier wipes on a white laminate surface, soft violet ambient light falling from a frosted window, small potted plant on the windowsill, no people visible, no text, photographic, warm healthcare setting

Sourced explainer· Reviewed 24 June 2026

Skin Problems Around the Stoma: What a 2026 Systematic Review Found About Who Is at Risk

A 2026 systematic review and meta-analysis in Frontiers in Medicine examined risk prediction models for moisture-associated skin damage in the peristomal area, identifying the factors most consistently linked to skin breakdown in people living with a stoma.

A quiet hospital outpatient corridor at dusk, empty cushioned chairs lined against a pale wall, a large window at the far end casting soft violet ambient light across the floor tiles, potted plant in the corner, no people, no text, photographic, clinical yet warm

Sourced explainer· Reviewed 23 June 2026

Stigma After Stoma Surgery: What a 2026 Evidence Review Found About Screening and Support

A 2026 literature review in Frontiers in Oncology identified approaches to detecting felt stigma in colorectal cancer patients with stomas and summarised evidence on which interventions provide meaningful support.

Empty morning kitchen counter with a tall glass of water and a small glass jar with a wooden spoon resting across its rim, trailing ivy plant in a terracotta pot at the edge, soft violet ambient light from a frosted window to the left, white tile backsplash, no people, no text, photographic

Sourced explainer· Reviewed 22 June 2026

The Gut-Brain Axis in IBD: What a 2026 Systematic Review of 1,040 Patients Found About Microbiota and Mood

A systematic review published in Frontiers in Microbiology in June 2026 analysed ten studies involving 1,040 IBD patients and found that anxiety and depressive symptoms were associated with reduced gut microbial diversity and enrichment of pro-inflammatory bacterial taxa, with authors concluding the relationship may be bidirectional.

Empty counselling room with two upholstered armchairs angled toward each other, a small side table between them holding a closed notebook and pen, soft violet ambient light from a tall frosted glass window, pale plaster walls, pale wooden floor, no people, no text

Sourced explainer· Reviewed 21 June 2026

Beyond the Bowel: What a 2025 Cochrane Review Found About Psychological Interventions in IBD

A 2025 Cochrane systematic review and meta-analysis by Tiles-Sar and colleagues examined the randomised trial evidence for psychological interventions in inflammatory bowel disease, assessing whether approaches such as cognitive behavioural therapy, mindfulness, and stress management affect disease activity, quality of life, and psychological wellbeing.

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