SUMMARY
Mayo Clinic researcher Edward V. Loftus Jr., M.D., studies the epidemiology and natural history of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. He has characterized the incidence cohorts of Olmsted County, Minnesota, residents diagnosed with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease between 1940 and 2019. Ongoing studies of this cohort include inquiries into the risk factors, description of consequences and complications of these conditions.
Dr. Loftus has described various aspects of the natural history and complications of these population-based inception cohorts. These cohorts were studied to determine the risks of lymphoma, cardiovascular conditions and fractures; the impact of obesity; and the complications of Crohn's disease. The incidence of these conditions in racial and ethnic minorities also was evaluated in these cohorts.
During the past 25 years, Dr. Loftus has participated in many phase 2 and phase 3 clinical trials concerning medical therapies for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. He advises multiple study sponsors on clinical trial designs and has served on several steering and publication committees for clinical development programs.
Focus areas
- Incidence and prevalence of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
- Unusual and unforeseen complications of inflammatory bowel disease.
- Clinical trials of vedolizumab, ustekinumab, adalimumab, etrolizumab, filgotinib, upadacitinib, risankizumab and GS-5270 in inflammatory bowel disease.
- The phenotype and natural history of inflammatory bowel disease associated with primary sclerosing cholangitis.
Significance to patient care
Epidemiology, which is the study of patterns of disease occurrence, may yield clues to the cause of or risk factors associated with chronic illnesses such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Accurately describing the natural history of these conditions also is important so that newly diagnosed individuals can understand how the conditions might be treated and managed.
Dr. Loftus is involved in phase 2 and phase 3 clinical trials of new medical therapies for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. These trials help advance the field and provide people with therapies they might not otherwise be able to access for several years.
Professional highlights
- Maxine and Jack Zarrow Family Professor of Gastroenterology Specifically for IBD, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, 2023-present.
- Associate editor, Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 2022-present.
- Mayo Clinic Experience Top Performer, Office of Patient Experience, Mayo Clinic, 2022, 2023.
- Laureate Award, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 2007, 2021.
- American Gastroenterological Association:
- Distinguished Clinician Award, 2019.
- Research Mentor Award, Immunology, Microbiology and Infectious Disease Section, 2019.
- Outstanding Mentor-Research Award, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 2019.
- Chair and vice-chair, Immunology, Microbiology & Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Section, American Gastroenterological Association Institute Council, 2012-2016.
- Teacher of the Year, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 2010.
- Member, International Organization for the Study of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, 2008.