1st GlycanTrigger Patients Symposium

On November 19, 2024, the GlycanTrigger project hosted its 1st GlycanTrigger Patients Symposium, a virtual event dedicated to advancing understanding in preventing and managing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The two-hours event gathered experts, patients, and healthcare professionals to discuss IBD risk factors, prevention strategies, and the importance of patient empowerment through engaging presentations and discussions, and interactive Q&A sessions.

The symposium began with a webinar by Dr. Joana Revés, a gastroenterologist at Hospital Beatriz Ângelo. Her presentation, “Identifying IBD Risk Factors and Prevention Measures”, covered key aspects of patient counseling and actionable steps for managing risks.

A co-creation workshop followed, featuring Professor Guendalina Graffigna (miGut-Health project) and the Portuguese IBD Patient Association (APDI) representatives Cândida Cruz and Filipa Cunha. Discussions focused on how nutrition, stress management, and overall health can influence IBD progression, complemented by patient perspectives on treatment.

The event concluded with a workshop on health literacy led by Dr. Joana Torres from Hospital da Luz Learning Health and members of the EFCCA Youth Group. They shared insights into how better health literacy can empower patients and improve outcomes.

With this symposium, the GlycanTrigger project created a dynamic platform for sharing cutting-edge research and practical insights into the prevention and management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

A 2nd edition of the GlycanTrigger Patients Symposium is planned for autumn 2025, this time as an in-person event to continue building connections within the IBD community. Stay tuned for more!