Advances in the Application of Digital Health Technologies in the Management of Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic disorder that requires long-term follow-up and individualized management. With the rapid development of digital health technologies (DHTs), tools such as telemedicine, smartphone applications, wearable devices, and artificial intelligence (AI) are increasingly integrated into the monitoring, assessment, and follow-up processes for IBD. Drawing on a synthesis of current evidence, this review compares the applicable scenarios and mechanisms of various digital technologies, evaluates the evidence and clinical efficacy of these tools in symptom monitoring, health education, exercise and nutrition management, and medication adherence, and proposes recommendations for promoting standardized digital solutions with respect to privacy/ethics, cost/accessibility, and interoperability. Additionally, the working principles, validation standards, and limitations of AI and wearable technologies are discussed in depth, with the aim of providing insights for clinical practice and research on IBD in the domestic context.