We thank Drs. Alexander and Caldera for their stimulating and compelling editorial that excellently contextualised our study evaluating the immunogenicity of original and variant-adapted COVID-19 mRNA vaccines in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and healthy controls [1, 2]. To date, the STAR SIGN study has evaluated immunity against wild-type SARS-CoV-2 and the omicron BA.1, BA5, BQ.1

Numerous exposure–outcome relationship studies demonstrate a positive correlation between therapeutic biologic drug concentrations and favourable outcomes in immune-medicated inflammatory disorders including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) [1, 2]. In the same vein, low drug concentrations are associated with loss of response and immunogenicity [1, 3]. Furthermore, post hoc analyses of randomised controlled

The Rome criteria, first published in 1994 and currently in their fourth iteration, are widely considered to be the gold standard symptom-based criteria to diagnose disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI), formerly known as functional gastrointestinal diseases [1]. To inform the upcoming Rome V criteria, due for publication in 2026, the Rome Foundation analysed the effects of modifying symptoms (e

Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a severe condition characterised by high short-term mortality, requiring rapid diagnosis, prompt treatment of trigger factors and appropriate prognostic evaluation to guide patients towards the best therapeutic options. Although several scores, such as the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) and the CLIF-C ACLF score, have been proposed over time to assess

We extend our sincere gratitude to Dr. Francesco Paolo Russo and Alberto Ferrarese for their thorough evaluation and professional insights on our study [1]. We are gratified by their recognition of the potential of the age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index for Hepatitis B Virus-Related Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure (aCCI-HBV-ACLF) score in enhancing the accuracy of short-term and medium-term prognostic

We read the article published in your esteemed journal titled, “Insulin-like growth factor-1 in cirrhosis is linked to hepatic dysfunction and fibrogenesis and predicts liver-related mortality” by Hartl et al. with great interest. We appreciate the authors for investigating the prognostic role of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD) patients [1]. While the study

We thank Dr. Schildkraut et al. for their thoughtful commentary and the acknowledgment of the importance of our study in demonstrating that existing bowel preparation quality assessment instruments, typically used in the general population, are also reliable and valid for patients with Crohn's disease (CD) [1]. The implications of these findings are that instrument selection for use in clinical practice

Adequate bowel preparation is crucial for optimal visualisation and lesion detection and remains a key determinant of colonoscopy quality [1, 2]. Up to one-quarter of colonoscopies are conducted with inadequate bowel preparation, leading to reduced diagnostic yield and detection of nonpolypoid flat lesions, prolonged procedure time and an increased burden of repeat colonoscopies [2, 3]. Several validated

In the study by O'Connor et al. participants with primarily IBS-D undergoing a group-based education program on the British Dietary Association's advice for IBS were less likely to achieve the 12-week primary endpoint (50-point reduction in the IBS Symptom Severity Scale) if they had elevated levels of depression or anxiety at baseline [1]. We appreciate the complex undertaking of evaluating psychological

We thank Drs Katzenstein and Keefer for their editorial on our paper [1, 2]. We fully agree on the need for progress towards an integrated, personalised model of care for patients with disorders of gut-brain interaction. We are aware of the limitations of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and concur that it does not capture all the psychological nuances seen in patients with irritable

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We thank Dr. Gao and Professor Segal for their interest in our paper on abdominal pain and associated factors in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) [1, 2]. We agree with them regarding the importance of being aware of abdominal pain in patients with UC, including factors associated with gut-brain interaction, in particular anxiety and depression. Additionally, we agree with the suggestion that predictive

Pain control is often multidisciplinary and resource-intensive. Pain may be a poorly controlled symptom of ulcerative colitis (UC) culminating in significant patient dissatisfaction. The multicohort study exploring factors associated with abdominal pain in active and quiescent UC highlights the importance of attempting to prevent pain in UC. This may be achieved through understanding the risk factors

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The standard treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, nucleos(t)ide analogues (NUC), is usually long-term, as HBsAg loss is rarely achieved, which signifies functional cure. Recent evidence suggests that selected HBeAg-negative individuals with prolonged viral suppression and no advanced liver fibrosis can discontinue NUC therapy before HBsAg loss [1]. Studies, including a prospective

Non-selective beta-blockers (NSBBs) are highly effective in preventing variceal bleeding. They are therefore widely used in patients with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension [1]. Since the landmark study by Lebrec et al. many studies have investigated NSBB use in cirrhosis, including the controversial paper by Serste et al. which suggested increased mortality in decompensated cirrhosis due to NSBB

At present, non-selective beta-blockers (NSBBs) are recommended for the management of clinically significant portal hypertension and primary or secondary prophylaxis of variceal bleeding in cirrhosis [1, 2]. However, as mentioned in the editorial by Alferink and de Knegt [3], the right time to discontinue NSBBs remains inconclusive. The window hypothesis, which has been for the first time proposed

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As the global prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is increasing, emphasis has been placed on identifying modifiable risk factors that can aid in prevention [1]. Early-life factors, including antibiotic use and the occurrence of infections, increase the risk of developing IBD [2, 3]. This has been demonstrated in several studies, including a large-scale population-based study in Denmark,

Cirrhosis is a debilitating disease with substantial impact on health and prognosis. As the early stages of cirrhosis are asymptomatic or associated with non-specific symptoms, it was previously often diagnosed late in the disease course, after the development complications [1]. New biomarkers, liver scores and elastography have advanced noninvasive diagnosis, and the incidence and prevalence of cirrhosis

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Patients ‘lumped’ into the syndrome acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) differ on several observable levels: underlying aetiology of cirrhosis, precipitants, number and severity of organ failures (OFs). Despite phenotypic heterogeneity, consensus definitions of ACLF have changed how the condition is understood, recognised and studied. A key unmet need is identifying which elements of ACLF heterogeneity

We sincerely appreciate the insightful Editorial by Sangam et al. regarding our study [1, 2]. We echo the call for harmonising definitions and prognostication in acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) [3]. While the debate over definitions continues, the core concept of ACLF—a rapid deterioration due to an acute insult on chronic liver disease, with organ dysfunction and high short-term mortality—remains

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The faecal immunochemical test (FIT) is the most used colorectal cancer (CRC) screening test worldwide [1]. FIT is a family of tests, the performance of which varies by brand, positivity threshold and testing interval [2, 3]. Despite myriad studies, the optimal FIT threshold and interval remain elusive. Countries and large health care systems that screen primarily with FIT must decide on the threshold

LINKED CONTENTThis article is linked to Allende et al paper. To view this article, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.18236

Croft A, Okano S, Hartel G, Lord A, Walker G, Tambakis G, et al. A personalised algorithm predicting the risk of intravenous corticosteroid failure in acute ulcerative colitis. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2024; 60: 921–933. https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.18190. The units of measurement used to describe C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration in this manuscript were incorrectly reported as mg/mL. This should

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LINKED CONTENTThis article is linked to Lee et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.18242 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.18304.

Chronic liver diseases (CLDs) are a global health concern of significant magnitude, yet their true impact is often underestimated [1]. These diseases contribute to approximately two million deaths each year, accounting for around 4% of all global fatalities [2]. Despite their prevalence, CLDs frequently receive less attention compared to other major health issues. A timely study by Lee et al. which

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