Abstract
The management of IBD has been highly impacted in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, with restriction of hospitalizations and unprecedented redeployment of healthcare resources. Hospital admissions of IBD patients should be limited to reduce the risks of coronavirus transmission. However, delaying hospitalization of IBD patients with severe or complicated disease may increase the risk of poor outcomes. Delaying surgery in some cases may increase the risk of disease progression, post-operative morbidity and disease complications. IBD patients who are infected with SARS-CoV-2 may have a higher risk of poor outcomes than the general population, potentially related to concomitant medications, especially corticosteroids. There is no evidence today that IBD patients with COVID-19 have worse outcomes if they receive immunosuppressant medications including thiopurines, biologics and novel small molecules. This article summarizes recommendations by the international membership of IOIBD regarding hospitalizations of IBD patients, either for active or complicated IBD or severe COVID-19, and for management of IBD patients according to SARS-CoV-2 infectious status.