About

Dr. Jill K. J. Gaidos is an Associate Professor of Medicine in the Department of Internal Medicine, specializing in Digestive Diseases at Yale School of Medicine. She serves as the Vice Chief for Gastroenterology within the section of Digestive Diseases and is the Medical Director for the Yale Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Center. Her educational background includes medical school, internship, and residency training at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), followed by Gastroenterology Fellowship and Advanced Postgraduate Program in Clinical Investigation at the University of Florida. Prior to her current role, she was on faculty at VCU for nine years, where she held positions such as Director of IBD, Director of GI Clinics, and Deputy Chief of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the Richmond VA Medical Center. Dr. Gaidos has established a national program providing comprehensive IBD care to veterans and is recognized for her work with the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation and the American College of Gastroenterology, where she has chaired educational meetings and lectured extensively on IBD. Her research focuses on inflammatory bowel diseases, including Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and microscopic colitis, with significant contributions to clinical research involving treatment strategies, disease management, and patient-centered care. She has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and is actively involved in industry-sponsored and investigator-initiated research at Yale.

Research topics

• Medicine
• Internal medicine
• Pathology
• Gastroenterology
• Political Science
• Sociology
• Physical therapy
• Emergency medicine
• Psychology
• Law
• Family medicine
• Immunology
• Nursing
• Dermatology

Selected publications

• Prevalence, patient characteristics, and outcomes of high-dose upadacitinib in inflammatory bowel disease

  Therapeutic Advances in Gastroenterology · 2026-05-01

  articleOpen access

  Background: Off-label high-dose upadacitinib (UPA) may be necessary for select inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. Objectives: To evaluate the rates, patient characteristics, and outcomes of extended induction and high-dose UPA maintenance in IBD. Design: We conducted a two-center, retrospective cohort study of IBD patients treated with UPA from January 1, 2022, to March 1, 2025. Methods: Extended induction was defined as receiving UPA 45 mg for 16 weeks in ulcerative colitis (UC) and 24 weeks in Crohn’s disease (CD). High-dose maintenance was defined as continuing UPA 45 mg after induction/extended induction. Primary outcomes included rates and characteristics of high-dose maintenance. Secondary outcomes included clinical response (CR), steroid-free clinical remission (SFCR), endoscopic remission (ER), and adverse events, comparing standard and high-dose UPA groups. Results: Among 128 patients (46.9% CD, 48.4% UC, 4.7% IBD-unclassified), 51.6% ( n = 66) received extended induction and 34.4% ( n = 44) continued high-dose UPA maintenance. On multivariate analysis, UPA high-dose maintenance patients were more likely to have a higher number of prior biologic exposures (odds ratio (OR) 1.84, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05–3.19, p = 0.022) and concomitant biologic use (OR 6.18, 95% CI 1.15–33.18, p = 0.034). In the high-dose maintenance group, rates of CR were 73.7%, SFCR 65.8%, and ER 36.7%. Adverse event rates were similar between high- and standard-dose maintenance groups (25% vs 26.8%), with no cases of herpes zoster, venous thromboembolism, or major adverse cardiovascular events. Conclusion: One-third of patients remained on high-dose UPA maintenance, reflecting more refractory disease and modest response rates. Treatment was generally well tolerated. Larger, long-term studies are needed to validate safety.

  PublisherDOI

• Treat-to-target of endoscopic remission in patients with inflammatory bowel disease in symptomatic remission on advanced therapies (QUOTIENT): rationale, design and protocol for an open-label, multicentre, pragmatic, randomised controlled trial

  BMJ Open Gastroenterology · 2025-03-01 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access

  INTRODUCTION: Targeted immunomodulators (eg, advanced therapies) effectively achieve symptomatic remission in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, ~25%-50% of patients with IBD achieving symptomatic remission with an advanced therapy may have continued endoscopically/radiologically active bowel inflammation, and it is uncertain whether changing alternative advanced therapies in asymptomatic patients with IBD will reduce bowel inflammation and achieve durable deep remission. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The QUality Outcomes Treating IBD to Target (QUOTIENT) study is an open-label, multicentre, pragmatic, randomised, controlled trial that aims to compare the efficacy and safety of switching to an alternative advanced therapy targeting endoscopic/radiological remission (treat-to-target) versus continuing the initial, or index, advanced therapy, in asymptomatic patients with IBD with moderate-to-severe endoscopic/radiological bowel inflammation. Enrolment is planned for ~250 participants in Canada/USA, randomised 1:1 to switching to alternative advanced therapy or continuing index advanced therapy, and then followed 104 weeks within routine clinical practice. Patient-reported outcomes measure efficacy and quality of life/treatment burden/safety. Primary endpoint is the time from randomisation to treatment failure. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study is conducted in compliance with the protocol, ICH Good Clinical Practice, applicable regulatory requirements and appropriate review boards/independent ethics committees (approval numbers: Pro00077486; Pro00061437; STUDY00002062; 22-004171; i22-01269; IRB22-0890; IRB_00154397; 2000032384; SHIRB#2022.095-2; STUDY00007146; MMC#2024-18; REB#125290; 17784; Pro00142214; 20240660-01H), with documented written informed consent. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals, scientific presentations, and publicly available Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) websites, including lay summaries. The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation Education, Support, and Advocacy Department, and our patient advocacy stakeholder, will develop educational and marketing resources to communicate findings to a broad audience (>250 000 patients/caregivers/healthcare professionals). TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT05230173.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Advances in diagnosis and therapy for upper gastrointestinal Crohn's disease

  Current Opinion in Gastroenterology · 2025-08-01

  articleSenior authorCorresponding

  PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Crohn's disease is a chronic, relapsing and remitting inflammatory process that can involve the entire length of the gastrointestinal tract. Upper gastrointestinal involvement (UGI) in Crohn's disease is present in up to 15% of patients and can present as a diagnostic challenge given nonspecific symptoms and overlapping disease entities. This review provides an update on diagnosing and risk stratifying UGI-CD. RECENT FINDINGS: Literature suggests the use of imaging modalities (such as video capsule endoscopy, cross-sectional imaging and intestinal ultrasound) to help identify proximal inflammation when clinical suspicion for UGI involvement exists based on symptoms and patient factors. Additionally, proximal disease involvement has been associated with increased disease severity, a higher prevalence of strictures and an increased risk for surgery. First-line therapies are corticosteroids and antitumor necrosis factor therapies if systemic treatment is needed based on disease severity. For stricturing disease, endoscopic balloon dilation, strictureplasty, surgical resection or bypass can be considered for medically refractory or recurrent disease. SUMMARY: As the prevalence and progression of UGI-CD is still understudied due to its variable definition, presentation and incidence, the development of a standardized approach to diagnosis could aid in determining the overall prevalence and most effective treatments.

  PublisherDOI

• Weighing In: The Use of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

  Digestive Diseases and Sciences · 2025-11-11

  editorialOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Sa1903: PREDICTORS AND OUTCOMES OF UPADACITINIB EXTENDED INDUCTION AND HIGHER DOSE MAINTENANCE THERAPY IN INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE: A MULTICENTER STUDY

  Gastroenterology · 2025-05-01

  article
  PublisherDOI

• Association of Primary Language With Treatment and Outcomes in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

  Clinical and Translational Gastroenterology · 2025-06-06

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  INTRODUCTION: As rates of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) rise among non-English-speaking populations, it is imperative to better understand the impact of language barriers and cultural differences on disease management. METHODS: The multicenter, retrospective, cohort study of adult patients with IBD who spoke a language other than English, matched 1:2 to English-speaking controls. Patients were enrolled at their first clinic visit and then followed up to 12 months. Advanced therapy (AT) was defined as a biologic or small molecule. Primary outcome was the rate of AT use between cohorts. Secondary outcomes included rates of AT initiation and corticosteroid-free clinical remission at 6 and 12 months. RESULTS: One hundred forty-four patients with IBD (48 non-English speakers, 96 English speakers) were included in this study. Both cohorts had similar baseline disease activity based on physician global assessment; however, non-English-speaking patients had significantly higher rates of baseline elevated fecal calprotectin (91.7% vs 50%, P = 0.014). After multivariate analysis to adjust for baseline differences, we found no difference in prior or current AT use. Rates of initiation of AT were similar between the 2 groups at 6- and 12-month follow-up. Adjusted rates of corticosteroid-free clinical remission were not different at 6 and 12 months. DISCUSSION: Primary language spoken did not significantly affect the rates of AT use or overall IBD disease activity in 2 academic practices. Future studies are warranted to understand the effect of language on medication adherence, patient satisfaction and understanding, and disease outcomes.

  PublisherDOI

• Fiber Intake in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

  Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology · 2025-10-13

  article

  GOALS: To assess if patients were meeting dietary fiber recommendations and compare intake between those with active versus inactive IBD, and between Crohn's (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). BACKGROUND: Fiber is an important component of the diet to maintain a healthy gut, including in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). STUDY: A prospective, multicenter, cross-sectional study of eating habits was performed in 2 academic gastroenterology practices. Patients completed a food frequency questionnaire to assess fiber intake. Objective evidence of disease activity was assessed through fecal calprotectin, endoscopy or cross-sectional imaging. High fiber diets were those with ≥30 g/day for men or ≥25 g/day for women. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to assess predictors of high fiber intake. RESULTS: Of 117 patients (71 CD, 43 UC, 3 IBDU), only 26% of patients were consuming high fiber diets. Average dietary fiber intake was lower for patients with active disease versus inactive disease (19 g vs. 24 g, P=0.0048) but on subgroup analysis this remained significant in UC (13 g vs. 22 g, P=0.0044) but not CD (21 g vs. 24 g, P=0.38). Increased education on nutrition was the most important predictor of eating a high fiber diet. CONCLUSIONS: While most IBD patients are not eating high fiber diets, dietary fiber intake is likely similar to the average American diet. Fiber consumption is lower for IBD patients with active disease, particularly for patients with UC. Given education is the best predictor for consuming a high fiber diet, increased education efforts on the benefits of fiber should improve dietary fiber intake.

  PublisherDOI

• Mo1902: PREVALENCE OF SPONDYLOARTHROPATHIES IN ACTIVE VS INACTIVE INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE

  Gastroenterology · 2025-05-01

  articleSenior author
  PublisherDOI

• Preferences, Acceptability, and Utilization of Multimodal Self-Help Interventions in Adults With Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: A Pragmatic Multicenter Study With Patients and Clinicians

  Inflammatory Bowel Diseases · 2025-07-07 · 2 citations

  articleOpen access

  BACKGROUND: Despite the benefits of self-help resources in several chronic diseases, a knowledge gap exists regarding patients' and clinicians' experiences and attitudes toward multimodal self-help resources in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). METHODS: Confidence Optimization through Resources for Education, Engagement, and Empowerment (CORE) was a prospective, convergent parallel mixed-methods study conducted across 5 gastroenterology practices participating in the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation's IBD Qorus Learning Health System from 2022 to 2023. Five IBD-specific multimodal self-help resources (workbook, 2 smartphone apps, help center, and peer mentoring) were offered to patients. E-surveys (weeks 0, 6, and 12) and three 60-minute focus groups elicited the perspectives and experiences of patients and providers regarding self-help resources. Univariate, bivariate, and multivariate statistical analyses explored patients' preferences, acceptability, and utilization of self-help resources. RESULTS: Of 536 patients with IBD, only 3.7% previously used self-help resources, yet 80.0% (427/536) selected at least one multimodal self-help resource when offered. Patients with low health confidence in managing IBD (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.5, 95% CI, 1.1-5.6, P = .03) and females (aOR 2.5, 95% CI, 1.2-5.2, P = .02) were more likely to choose self-help resources. After 12 weeks, 75.0% (81/108) used at least 1 self-help resource. Asynchronous resources (books and smartphone apps) were used more often than synchronous resources (help center and peer mentorship). Patients preferred resources suggested by their clinicians, although clinicians expressed a lack of time in the clinic and a lack of knowledge about self-help resources as barriers. CONCLUSIONS: Few patients with IBD use self-help resources, even though the majority regard multimodal self-help resources as acceptable and feasible to get information, find community and support, and manage living with IBD.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• S1838 Comparing the Rate of Arthralgia Improvement in Patients With Active Inflammatory Bowel Disease Treated With Different Biologics: A Retrospective Multicenter Cohort Study

  The American Journal of Gastroenterology · 2025-10-01

  articleSenior author

  Introduction: Musculoskeletal symptoms represent the most common extraintestinal manifestation of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); however, there are no guidelines on optimal treatment of arthralgia. The aim of this study was to assess for improvement in joint pain with treatment of active IBD. Methods: This multicenter retrospective cohort included consecutive patients with IBD seen between 1/1/2020 and 4/15/2023 at 2 academic centers with at least 12 months of follow up. Objective disease activity was defined as elevated fecal calprotectin (>250 μg/g) or evidence of disease activity on endoscopy or imaging. The primary end point was improvement in joint pain after initiation of treatment for active IBD at 6 and 12 months after the initial visit. Relative risk was calculated for IBD type Crohn’s disease ([CD] vs ulcerative colitis [UC]), type of therapy (anti-TNF, vedolizumab, IL12/23 inhibitor, JAK inhibitor), subclinical disease activity at enrollment (Based on HBAI or SSCAI) and GI symptoms resolution in association with rate of arthralgia improvement. Results: Among the 736 enrolled IBD patients, 385 (52.3%) had objective disease activity at the initial visit. Of these 385 patients with active IBD, 123 (31.9%) reported joint pain. Among those with active IBD and joint pain, 62.5% had CD, 32.5% with UC and 4.9% with IBD-U. The median age was 32 years (IQR, 27-49), 60.2% were women with a median disease duration of 8 years (IQR, 2-16). At 6 months, 66 (56.8%) had resolution of joint pain. Resolution of joint pain was not significantly associated with GI symptom resolution at 6 months (P = 0.97). At 12 months, 62 (54.8%) cases had resolution of joint pain. Patients with UC were more likely to have resolution of their pain compared to CD at follow up (RR: 0.59; 95% CI: 0.35-0.99, P: 0.039). Joint location, type of therapy, subclinical disease activity at enrollment and GI symptoms resolution were not significantly associated with improvement in joint pain (all P > 0.05). Conclusion: Joint pain affects a notable proportion of IBD patients with active disease, yet our study found that resolution of GI symptom does not consistently lead to improvement in arthralgia symptoms. Neither the type of biologic therapy, joint location, nor subclinical disease activity at enrollment were significantly associated with joint pain improvement, suggesting that management of musculoskeletal symptoms in IBD requires approaches beyond controlling intestinal inflammation alone.

  PublisherDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Badr Al‐Bawardy

  44 shared

• Linda A. Feagins

  30 shared

• Deborah D. Proctor

  Yale University

  28 shared

• Jason K. Hou

  Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center

  23 shared

• Peter V. Draganov

  21 shared

• Francis A. Farraye

  Mayo Clinic in Florida

  15 shared

• Akbar K. Waljee

  15 shared

• Corey A. Siegel

  12 shared

Labs

• Yale Beatrix LabPI