COVID-19 Research

The COVID-19 pandemic has thrusted the critical importance of better understanding how infectious outbreaks affect our patients -- particularly potentially more vulnerable patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) -- and evaluating strategies to mitigate their destructive potential.

We are currently conducting several multi-center studies related to COVID-19. We are also partnering with other UCLA departments on the development of an innovative tool for airborne particle containment to reduce risk of exposure to healthcare workers. Our studies will be announced once the data have matured for public dissemination.

One study involves the assessment of the impact of COVID-19 on risk perception, social behaviors, and quality of life among our patients and those without IBD.

We recently published a systematic review and meta-analysis of COVID-19 outcomes among patients with IBD (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2021). Use of corticosteroids or mesalamine was associated with worse outcomes, such as hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and death.