Treat to target in inflammatory bowel disease: a survey of treatment strategies amongst Portuguese doctors

treatment goals in inflammatory bowel disease have changed over the last few years and have shifted from a mainly symptom-based management to objective endpoints, such as mucosal healing and deep remission. A treat-to-target strategy to achieve these goals has been proposed by several experts, although the real-life clinical data is still lacking. This study aimed to investigate the current practices among Portuguese gastroenterologists who treat inflammatory bowel disease patients.Portuguese gastroenterologists were asked to participate in an anonymous online survey. The questions focused on opinions and current practice with regard to treatment targets in inflammatory bowel disease.sixty-two physicians agreed to participate in the survey, 40 were gastroenterology specialists and 22 (35.5%) were fellows. Deep remission was considered as the main treatment goal for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis by 82% and 83.9% of the participants, respectively. Mucosal healing as a treatment target was used by 95% and 80% of participants in ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, respectively; 71% intensified the treatment to achieve mucosal healing after clinical remission. The most common definition of mucosal healing in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis was the absence of mucosal ulceration (32.3%) and a Mayo endoscopic sub-score of 0 (41.9%). Only 3.2% escalated treatment with the aim to achieve histologic remission in ulcerative colitis.a treat-to-target strategy to achieve mucosal healing and deep remission is currently accepted by a substantial number of Portuguese gastroenterologists.