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Clinic for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD)
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Contact the Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Clinic.
Would you like to make an appointment for a consultation with an IBD clinic specialist for yourself or for one of your relatives?
Contact us by phone at +32 (0)2 555 35 04 or by email at: ibd [dot] erasme [at] hubruxelles [dot] be
Would you like to make an appointment for an endoscopy with an IBD clinic specialist for yourself or for one of your relatives?
Contact us by phone at +32 (0)2 555 3292 or by email at: ibd [dot] erasme [at] hubruxelles [dot] be
Are you a patient and do you have an administrative request (prescriptions, reimbursements, certificates, insurance documents, or copies of medical records)?
Contact our medical administration by phone at +32 (0)2 555 5422 or by email at: ibd [dot] erasme [at] hubruxelles [dot] be
Are you a doctor and would you like to obtain medical results for your patients, refer a patient, or request a (second) opinion?
Contact our clinic by phone at +32 (0)2 555 54 22 or by email at: ibd [dot] erasme [at] hubruxelles [dot] be
Do you suffer from an Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)?
The Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD) Clinic provides care for all patients with Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, unclassified colitis, lymphocytic/collagenous colitis, as well as celiac disease and intestinal autoimmune diseases or vasculitis
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Comprehensive care
Several specialized consultations are developed for the management of adolescents, pregnant or breastfeeding women, screening for primary immunodeficiency syndromes in adults, and patients with celiac disease or autoimmune enteritis.
Multidisciplinary approach
There is strong multidisciplinary collaboration in the care of patients with inflammatory bowel disease, particularly during a weekly meeting (“round table”) with colorectal surgeons, radiologists, pathologists, rheumatologists, and dermatologists (as well as ophthalmologists or other specialists involved in immunodeficiency-related conditions).
Discover the Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Clinic of Hôpital Erasme H.U.B.
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Prof. Denis Franchimont, Director of the Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Clinic
Specialties
- Inflammatory bowel diseases.
- Colon cancer screening and genetic screening for hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes.
- Diagnostic and therapeutic gastroscopy and colonoscopy.
- Upper digestive and anorectal endoscopic ultrasound.
- Resection of superficial colorectal tumors.
A team of specialists by your side
Doctors
Prof. Claire Liefferinckx
Prof. Anneline Cremer
Prof. Leila Amininejad
Dr. Cagla Gulkilik
Dr. Clémence Vukovic
Prof. Denis Franchimont
Clinical studies and trials coordination
Charlotte Minsart, PhD in Biomedical Sciences
Emma Descamps
Chloé Helman
Clinic coordinating nurse
Valérie Wambacq
Dietitian
Pauline Van Ouytsel
Consultants
Dr. Vincent Bouillon
Dr. Haydeh Vafa Zanjani
Medical secretary
Georgiana Vilcinschi
A clinic committed to research
The clinic is actively involved in pharmaceutical clinical research (we have access to new molecules within international clinical trials), as well as translational and genetic research, particularly in collaboration with the BIRD (Belgium IBD Research Disease Group), the ECCO (European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation), and the IIBDGC (International IBD Genetics Consortium)
BIRD (Belgium IBD Research Disease Group), l’ECCO (European Crohn and Colitis Organisation) et le IIBDGC (International IBD Genetics Consortium).
In 2022, the clinic opened its translational research laboratory on the microbiota — the H.U.B Center for the Study of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and Microbiota — where 3 physicians, a technician, two PhD students, and an artificial intelligence engineer work
Our scientific publications
Our scientific publications
In-depth study of monogenic primary immunodeficiency genes identifies rare XIAP variants in Crohn’s disease patients.
Amininejad L, Charloteaux B, Theatre E, Dmitrieva J, Hayard P, Muls V, Maisin J-M, Schapira M, Ghislain J-M, Closset P, Talib M, Abramowicz M, Momozawa Y, Deffontaine V, Crins F, Mni M, Karim L, Cambisano N, Deviere J, Hugot J-P, De vos M, Louis E, Vermeire S, Van Gossum A, Coppieters W, Twizere J-C, Georges M, Franchimont D. Gastroenterology 2018 Jun;154(8):2165-2177 (I.F. 33)
Lien vers https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31202983/
Risk of Development of More-advanced Lesions in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Diseases and Dysplasia
Cremer A, Demetter P, De Vos M, Rahier JF, Baert F, Moreels T, Macken E, Louis E, Ferdinande L, Fervaille C, Dedeurwaerdere F, Bletard N, Driessen A, De Hertogh G, Vermeire S, Franchimont D. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2019 Jun 13. pii: S1542-3565(19)30645-7
Lien vers https://www.researchgate.net/publication/350498118_Collecting_New_Peak_and_Inte…
Collecting New Peak and Intermediate Infliximab Levels to Predict Remission in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Liefferinckx C, Bottieau J, Toubeau JF, Thomas D, Rahier JF, Louis E, Baert F, Dewint P, Pouillon L, Lambrecht G, Vallée F, Vermeire S, Bossuyt P, Franchimont D. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2022 Feb 1;28(2):208-217.
Lien vers https://www.nature.com/articles/s41588-022-01156-2
Large-scale sequencing identifies multiple genes and rare variants associated with Crohn's disease susceptibility
. Sazonovs A, Stevens CR, Venkataraman GR, Yuan K, Avila B, Abreu MT, Ahmad T, Allez M, Ananthakrishnan AN, Atzmon G, Baras A, Barrett JC, Barzilai N, Beaugerie L, Beecham A, Bernstein CN, Bitton A, Bokemeyer B, Chan A, Chung D, Cleynen I, Cosnes J, Cutler DJ, Daly A, Damas OM, Datta LW, Dawany N, Devoto M, Dodge S, Ellinghaus E, Fachal L, Farkkila M, Faubion W, Ferreira M, Franchimont D, Gabriel SB, Ge T, Georges M, Gettler K, Giri M, Glaser B, Goerg S, Goyette P, Graham D, Hämäläinen E, Haritunians T, Heap GA, Hiltunen M, Hoeppner M, Horowitz JE, Irving P, Iyer V, Jalas C, Kelsen J, Khalili H, Kirschner BS, Kontula K, Koskela JT, Kugathasan S, Kupcinskas J, Lamb CA, Laudes M, Lévesque C, Levine AP, Lewis JD, Liefferinckx C, Loescher BS, Louis E, Mansfield J, May S, McCauley JL, Mengesha E, Mni M, Moayyedi P, Moran CJ, Newberry RD, O'Charoen S, Okou DT, Oldenburg B, Ostrer H, Palotie A, Paquette J, Pekow J, Peter I, Pierik MJ, Ponsioen CY, Pontikos N, Prescott N, Pulver AE, Rahmouni S, Rice DL, Saavalainen P, Sands B, Sartor RB, Schiff ER, Schreiber S, Schumm LP, Segal AW, Seksik P, Shawky R, Sheikh SZ, Silverberg MS, Simmons A, Skeiceviciene J, Sokol H, Solomonson M, Somineni H, Sun D, Targan S, Turner D, Uhlig HH, van der Meulen AE, Vermeire S, Verstockt S, Voskuil MD, Winter HS, Young J; Belgium IBD Consortium; Cedars- Sinai IBD; International IBD Genetics Consortium; NIDDK IBD Genetics Consortium; NIHR IBD BioResource; Regeneron Genetics Center; SHARE Consortium; SPARC IBD Network; UK IBD Genetics Consortium; Duerr RH, Franke A, Brant SR, Cho J, Weersma RK, Parkes M, Xavier RJ, Rivas MA, Rioux JD, McGovern DPB, Huang H, Anderson CA, Daly MJ. Nat Genet. 2022 Sep;54(9):1275-1283.
Resources and Useful Links for Patients with Crohn’s Disease, Colitis, and Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD)
Whether you have already been diagnosed or suspect you may have an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), we are here to support and guide you step by step. That is why we offer a series of content (produced by doctors, researchers, patient associations, and public health stakeholders) to help you better understand your disease, manage it, and identify support groups with which to connect.
FAQ on Crohn's disease and Colites
FAQ on Crohn's disease and Colites
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1. What is Crohn’s disease?
Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that can affect any part of the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus. It is characterized by segmental inflammation and can lead to complications such as strictures or fistulas.
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2. 2. What are the differences between Crohn’s disease and other types of colitis?
- Crohn’s disease can affect the entire digestive tract, with discontinuous lesions.
- Ulcerative colitis (UC) affects only the colon and rectum, with continuous lesions.
- Infectious colitis is caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites and is usually temporary.
- Ischemic colitis results from reduced blood flow to the colon.
- Microscopic colitis (lymphocytic and collagenous) is only visible under a microscope and causes chronic diarrhea.
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3. What are the main symptoms of Crohn’s disease?
Symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea (sometimes with blood), weight loss, fatigue, and sometimes fever. Extra-intestinal manifestations may also occur, such as joint pain, skin rashes, or eye problems.
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4. Is Crohn’s disease hereditary?
There is a genetic predisposition: about 10 to 20% of patients have a family member with an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, environmental and immunological factors are also required for the disease to develop.
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5. How is Crohn’s disease distinguished from infectious colitis?
Infectious colitis is usually acute and caused by an identifiable infection (bacteria, viruses, parasites). Stool tests can confirm the infectious origin. Crohn’s disease, on the other hand, is chronic, with recurrent flare-ups and periods of remission.
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6. What treatments are available for Crohn’s disease?
Treatments include:
- Anti-inflammatory drugs (such as mesalazine or corticosteroids).
- Immunosuppressants (azathioprine, methotrexate).
- Biologic therapies targeting specific molecules (anti-TNF, anti-IL12/23, etc.).
- In case of complications, surgery may be required to remove affected segments of the intestine.
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7. Can Crohn’s disease cause serious complications?
Yes, it can lead to:
- Stenoses (narrowing of the intestine that may cause obstructions).
- Fistulas (abnormal connections between organs or with the skin).
- Abscesses.
- Increased risk of colorectal cancer (in cases of long-term inflammation).
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8. Which factors worsen colitis and Crohn’s disease?
- Stress and anxiety can worsen symptoms.
- Smoking particularly aggravates Crohn’s disease.
- An unbalanced or irritating diet can intensify flare-ups.
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9. Can diet prevent or cure colitis and Crohn’s disease?
There is no diet that can cure the disease, but certain dietary choices may help relieve symptoms. Low-residue or low-FODMAP diets are often used during flare-ups. A balanced diet is essential to avoid deficiencies.
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10. How do people live with a chronic disease like Crohn’s disease or colitis?
- With appropriate treatment, many patients can achieve remission and lead a normal life.
- Regular follow-up with a gastroenterologist is important.
- Participation in support groups or patient associations can help cope with the psychological impact of the disease.
