Clinical Assessment

Abstract

Clinical assessment of the patient with a known diagnosis of IBD has a primary and ongoing role throughout their disease management. The aspects of assessment will vary according to individual patients, taking into account the length of time since diagnosis and their current disease state. Some departments will routinely measure and record disease assessment scores such as the Harvey Bradshaw Index (HBI) or Ulcerative Colitis Disease Activity Index (UCDAI), and these can be helpful in detecting improvement or deterioration in disease activity.

The first and perhaps the most important aspect of any clinical assessment is the medical history. This should be in depth at the first consultation and then is usually briefer at subsequent assessments, to determine any changes in health status since the last appointment. A physical clinical examination may then follow, and it is helpful to choose a structured approach that will ensure a thorough clinical assessment.