Start by confirming diagnosis, location and current activity
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis can affect different parts and layers of the digestive tract and can behave very differently between patients. A specialist review should connect symptoms with endoscopy, histology, laboratory data and imaging where relevant.
Complex cases may need multidisciplinary review
Charité’s dedicated IBD clinic describes interdisciplinary care involving gastroenterology together with fields such as surgery, radiology, nutrition, rheumatology, dermatology and rehabilitation. This matters when disease is refractory, complications are suspected or treatment side effects and extra-intestinal inflammation need coordinated decisions.
Medication history matters as much as the current prescription
Before a German center can discuss next-line therapy, it needs to know which conventional, biologic or targeted treatments were used, why they were stopped, whether there was primary non-response or loss of response, and whether infection or intolerance affected the plan.
- Current and previous IBD medicines with dates and doses where possible
- Colonoscopy and pathology reports
- MRI/CT enterography or other bowel imaging when performed
- Recent blood tests including inflammatory markers
- Prior bowel surgery and postoperative reports
- Important infections, vaccination history and major adverse effects
Surgery is part of IBD care, not evidence that medical treatment failed
Some patients need surgery for strictures, fistulas, abscesses, severe colitis or other complications. The timing and extent of surgery should be discussed jointly with experienced gastroenterology and visceral-surgery teams, especially when bowel preservation, nutrition or future medical therapy are important.
What to ask before travelling
Ask whether the center can review records before travel, whether it needs repeat endoscopy or imaging, whether the visit is for diagnosis, treatment optimization or surgical assessment, and how ongoing care will be coordinated after returning home.
Official and primary sources
Sources last checked 2026-09-21. Hospital pathways and procedural availability can change; confirm the current plan directly with the treating team.