Physicians' Knowledge and Application of Immunization Strategies in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Survey of the Italian Group for the Study of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Background:No data on European countries about knowledge and application of immunization strategies in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are available.Objectives:We designed a questionnaire aimed at exploring these issues among Italian gastroenterologists dealing with adult and paediatric IBD.Methods:An anonymous, 24-item, questionnaire was sent via e-mail to all members of the Italian Group for the study of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Three sets of questions were formulated: (1) Characteristics of respondents; (2) General opinions on the role of vaccines in IBD patients; (3) Immunizations of IBD patients in clinical practice.Results:Of the 455 total surveys sent, there were 198 respondents (response rate: 43.5%). The great majority of respondents (82.9%) reputed as very important to perform the vaccinations recommended by the guidelines in patients with IBD. The indication to immunization is given at the diagnosis of the disease by 55.6% of the respondents. The most frequently recommended vaccine in IBD patients is the annual flu vaccine, while the recommendation rate for the other vaccines is variable depending on the different pathogens.Conclusions:Efforts carried out by the scientific societies are required to increase the awareness of this relevant topic among physicians.