IBD medications and COVID-19 risk

June 18, 2020

Get the latest recommendations for people affected by Crohn's or colitis. Experts from the Crohn's and Colitis Canada COVID-19 Task Force also review the safety of all treatments for IBD and how they affect the risk of COVID-19. Medications discussed include 5-ASA's, steroids, immunomodulators, JAK-inhibitors, biologics and biosimilars. 

  • Moderators

    Dr. Gilaad Kaplan (MD, MPH, FRCPC), Professor of Medicine, Gastroenterologist and Epidemiologist, Departments of Medicine and Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Chair, Scientific and Medical Advisory Council, Crohn's and Colitis Canada

    Dr. Eric Benchimol (MD, PhD., FRCPC), Associate Professor and Gastroenterologist, Department of Pediatrics and School of Epidemiology and Public Health at the University of Ottawa, Division of Gastroenterology at Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), NASPGHAN Canadian Councilor

    Panelists:

    Dr. Jennifer Jones (MD, MSc, FRCPC), Associate Professor, Departments of Medicine and Clinical Health and Epidemiology Team Lead, Multidisciplinary IBD Clinical and Research Program Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre, Dalhousie University, Scientific and Medical Advisory Council, Crohn's and Colitis Canada

    Dr. Remo Panaccione (MD, FRCPC), Professor, Department of Medicine Director, Inflammatory Bowel Disease Clinic Director, Gastrointestinal Research, University of Calgary, @RPanaccione

  • Canada has among the highest incidence rates of Crohn's and colitis in the world.
  • 1 in 140 Canadians lives with Crohn’s or colitis.
  • Families new to Canada are developing these diseases for the first time.
  • Incidence of Crohn’s in Canadian kids under 10 has doubled since 1995.
  • People are most commonly diagnosed before age 30.