Surgical recurrence of perforating and nonperforating Crohn's disease. A study of 101 surgically treated Patients

Personalized Treatment for Crohn's Disease: Current Approaches and Future Directions

Crohn's disease is a complex, relapsing and remitting inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract with a variable disease course. While the treatment options for Crohn's disease have dramatically increased over the past two decades, predicting individual patient response to treatment remains a challenge. As a result, patients often cycle through multiple different therapies before finding an effective treatment which can lead to disease complications, increased costs, and decreased quality of life. Recently, there has been increased emphasis on personalized medicine in Crohn's disease to identify individual patients who require early advanced therapy to prevent complications of their disease. In this review, we summarize our current approach to management of Crohn's disease by identifying risk factors for severe or disabling disease and tailoring individual treatments to patient-specific goals. Lastly, we outline our knowledge gaps in implementing personalized Crohn's disease treatment and describe the future directions in precision medicine.

C-reactive protein is associated with postoperative outcomes in patients with intestinal Behçet's disease

BACKGROUND

Patients with intestinal Behçet's disease (BD) frequently undergo intestinal resections, which significantly affects postoperative morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to identify the association between C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and postoperative outcomes in patients with intestinal BD who underwent surgical bowel resection.

METHODS

Patients who were diagnosed with intestinal BD and underwent intestinal surgery due to BD at Severance Hospital between November 2005 and April 2018 were retrospectively investigated. Clinical relapse was defined as a disease activity index of BD (DAIBD) > 40, existence of newly added medications, re-hospitalization, or re-operation related to intestinal BD. The relationship between CRP level and postoperative outcomes was analyzed, and a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn to specify a cut-off value.

RESULTS

Ninety patients with intestinal BD were included. Among them, 44 were male (48.9%), and the median age at diagnosis was 38 years (range, 11-69 years). The median total disease follow-up duration was 130 months (range, 3-460 months). Forty patients (44.4%) underwent laparoscopic surgery. A higher CRP level immediately after surgery was significantly associated with postoperative complications (OR 1.01, 95% CI 1.004-1.018, p < 0.01), re-operation (hazard ratio [HR] 1.01, 95% CI 1.005-1.020, p < 0.01), and re-admission (HR 1.01, 95% CI 1.006-1.017 p < 0.01). The ROC curve showed that CRP predicts the risk of postoperative complications (p < 0.01) at a cut-off value of 41.9% with a sensitivity of 60.0% and specificity of 67.7%.

CONCLUSIONS

Postoperative CRP levels in patients with intestinal BD undergoing surgical resection were associated with postoperative outcomes.

Prophylaxis of Crohn's disease recurrence: A surgeon's perspective

Management of inflammatory bowel disease has evolved extensively in the last three decades. We have learnt a lot about the pathophysiology and natural history of the disease. New effective classes of drugs with the associated potential morbidity have been introduced. New surgical techniques have been popularized leading to a better understanding of the optimal timing of surgery. The result is a very complex subspecialty of gastroenterology and colorectal surgery called the "IBDologist." Only if we manage these complex patients in the context of a multi-disciplinary team will we be able to obtain outstanding outcomes, specifically with high and sustained remission rates for these patients.

Endoscopy in Postoperative Patients with Crohn's Disease or Ulcerative Colitis. Does It Translate to Better Outcomes?

This article discusses the use of endoscopy in patients with Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis in the postoperative setting. Endoscopy is the most sensitive and validated tool available in the diagnosis of recurrence of Crohn disease in the postoperative setting. It is also the most effective diagnostic modality available for evaluating complications of pouch anatomy in patients with ulcerative colitis. In addition to diagnosis, management postoperatively can be determined through endoscopy.

Risk factors for postoperative recurrence of Crohn's disease with emphasis on surgical predictors

Intestinal resection for Crohn’s disease is not curative and postoperative recurrence rates remain high. Early detection of indices associated with recurrence and risk stratification are fundamental for the postoperative management of patients. Early endoscopy at 6-12 months is the “gold standard” procedure, whereas other modalities such as fecal calprotectin and imaging techniques can contribute to the diagnosis of recurrence. The purpose of this review is to summarize current data regarding risk factors correlated with postoperative relapse. Smoking is a well-established, modifiable risk factor. There are sufficient data that correlate penetrating disease, perianal involvement, extensive resections, prior surgery, histological features (plexitis and granulomas), and improper management after resection with high rates for recurrence. The literature provides conflicting data for other possible predictors, such as age, sex, family history of inflammatory bowel disease, location of disease, strictureplasties, blood transfusions, and postoperative complications, necessitating further evidence. On the other hand, surgical factors such as anastomotic configuration, open or laparoscopic approach, and microscopic disease at specimen margins when macroscopic disease is resected, seem not to be related with an increased risk of recurrence. Further recognition of histological features as well as gene-related factors are promising fields for research.

Risk factors for postoperative surgical site infections in patients with Crohn's disease receiving definitive bowel resection

Surgical site infection presents as a significant problem that limits the potential benefits of surgical interventions. This study is to investigate risk factors for postoperative SSI in patients with Crohn’s disease receiving definitive bowel resection. A case-control study including 49 patients with SSI and 105 patients without SSI was performed. Demographics, clinical characteristics, laboratory information, medical and surgical data were compared between groups. Significant elements were subsequently brought into logistic regression analysis for further identification. Patients with SSI exhibited higher tobacco usage rate (p = 0.03), lower preoperative hemoglobin (p = 0.02) and pre-albumin level (p = 0.02). Bowel penetration instead of stricture was more frequent in patients with SSI (p = 0.04). Longer duration of operation (p = 0.03) and higher intraoperative lactate level (p = 0.02) were observed in patients with SSI. Logistic analysis identified that preoperative pre-albumin (95% CI: 0.2~0.7; OR = 0.5; p = 0.03), duration of operation (95% CI: 2.3~9.5; OR = 3.8; p = 0.03) and intraoperative lactate level (95% CI: 1.7~7.2; OR = 3.4; p = 0.04) were associated with postoperative surgical site outcome. Our data has identified that lower preoperative pre-albumin, longer duration of operation and higher intraoperative lactate level are risk factors for SSI in patients with Crohn’s disease receiving definitive bowel resection.

Improved Biochemical Parameters in Patients Who Undergo Early Resection in Isolated Ileocaecal Crohn's Disease

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study is to evaluate the outcome of introduction of early surgery in the course of isolated ileocecal Crohn's disease, where there is no absolute indication of surgery.

METHODS

Observational study involving patients with isolated ileocecal Crohn's disease who underwent early surgical resection (within one year of the presentation of the hospital). A complete blood count, ESR, and CRP were done and compared between the preoperative value, 1st postoperative visit (3-4 weeks), and last follow-up visit. Statistical analysis was done using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to compare the different figures.

RESULTS

There was a statistically significant increase in the hemoglobin levels between preoperative, postoperative, and long-term follow-up and a significant decrease in leukocyte count between the pre- and postoperative values (F = 19.8, p < 0.001 and F = 8.9, p = 0.002, resp.). Similarly, the ESR and CRP values were decreased significantly at long-term follow-up (F = 8.5, p = 0.019 and F = 8.3, p = 0.013, resp.).

CONCLUSION

Early surgical resection in isolated ileocaecal Crohn's disease achieved significant biochemical improvements. These successful results in this small number of patients indicate that early surgical intervention may provide better outcomes. These initial results encourage larger and comparative studies of long-term results versus long-term use of biological agents.

European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation Topical Review on IBD in the Elderly

This ECCO topical review of the European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation [ECCO] focuses on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, management and outcome of the two most common forms of inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, in elderly patients. The objective was to reach expert consensus to provide evidence-based guidance for clinical practice.

A Systematic Review Assessing Medical Treatment for Rectovaginal and Enterovesical Fistulae in Crohn's Disease

BACKGROUND

Rectovaginal and enterovesical fistulae are difficult to treat in patients with Crohn's disease. Currently, there is no consensus regarding their appropriate management.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of the study was to review the literature on the medical management of rectovaginal and enterovesical fistulae in Crohn's disease and to assess their response to treatment.

METHOD

A literature search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Science Citation Index Expanded, and Cochrane was performed.

RESULTS

Twenty-three studies were identified, reporting on 137 rectovaginal and 44 enterovesical fistulae. The overall response rates of rectovaginal fistulae to medical therapy were: 38.3% complete response (fistula closure), 22.3% partial response, and 39.4% no response. For enterovesical fistulae the response rates to medical therapy were: 65.9% complete response, 20.5% partial response, and 13.6% no response. Specifically, response to anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy of 78 rectovaginal fistulae was: 41.0% complete response, 21.8% partial response, and 37.2% no response. Response of 14 enterovesical fistulae to anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy was: 57.1% complete response, 35.7% partial response, and 7.1% no response. The response to a combination of medical and surgical therapy in 43 rectovaginal fistulae was: 44.2% complete response, 20.9% partial response, and 34.9% no response.

CONCLUSIONS

Medical therapy, alone or in combination with surgery, appears to benefit some patients with rectovaginal or enterovesical fistula. However, given the small size and low quality of the published studies, it is still difficult to draw conclusions regarding treatment. Larger, better quality studies are required to assess response to medical treatment and evaluate indications for surgery.

Asia-Pacific consensus statements on Crohn's disease. Part 2: Management

The Asia Pacific Working Group on Inflammatory Bowel Disease was established in Cebu, Philippines, at the Asia Pacific Digestive Week conference in 2006 under the auspices of the Asian Pacific Association of Gastroenterology (APAGE) with the goal of developing best management practices, coordinating research and raising awareness of IBD in the region. The consensus group previously published recommendations for the diagnosis and management of ulcerative colitis (UC) with specific relevance to the Asia-Pacific region. The present consensus statements were developed following a similar process to address the epidemiology, diagnosis and management of Crohn's disease (CD). The goals of these statements are to pool the pertinent literature specifically highlighting relevant data and conditions in the Asia-Pacific region relating to the economy, health systems, background infectious diseases, differential diagnoses and treatment availability. It does not intend to be all-comprehensive and future revisions are likely to be required in this ever-changing field.

Post-operative recurrence in Crohn's disease. Critical analysis of potential risk factors. An update

INTRODUCTION

Crohn's disease is associated with high rates of postoperative recurrence. At 10 years after surgery a high percentage of patients suffer recurrence (as many as 75% and above) and many of these (up to 45%) require re-intervention. The aim of the study was to identify, amongst the various "potential predictive factors", those which today should be considered "real risk factors" for postoperative recurrence.

METHODS

A review of literature of the last 30 years was carried out. A medical literature search was conducted using Medline, Embase, Ovid Journals, Science Direct, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Potential risk factors related to the patient, disease, type of surgery and pharmacological treatment were analyzed.

RESULTS

According to most Authors predictive factors, in addition to smoke, are also represented by an extent of disease superior to 100 cm and by absence of postoperative pharmacological treatment. Moreover, according to "the second European evidence-based Consensus on the diagnosis and the management of Crohn's disease: Special situations", localization of disease in the colon, penetrative behavior of disease, extensive small bowel resection and prior intestinal surgery should also be considered predictive factors.

CONCLUSIONS

The high incidence of postoperative recurrence in Crohn's disease mandates a strict follow up (clinical, laboratory and instrumental monitoring). Identifying patients with increased risk would enable physicians to plan a surveillance program and to implement a rational therapeutic prophylaxis.

Inflammatory bowel disease and the elderly: a review

Inflammatory bowel disease among the elderly is common, with growing incident and prevalence rates. Compared with younger IBD patients, genetics contribute less to the pathogenesis of older-onset IBD, with dysbiosis and dysregulation of the immune system playing a more significant role. Diagnosis may be difficult in older individuals, as multiple other common diseases can mimic IBD in this population. The clinical manifestations in older-onset IBD are distinct, and patients tend to have less of a disease trajectory. Despite multiple effective medical and surgical treatment strategies for adults with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, efficacy studies typically have excluded older subjects. A rapidly ageing population and increasing rates of Crohn's and ulcerative colitis make the paucity of data in older adults with IBD an increasingly important clinical issue.

Risk factors for repetitive ileocolic resection in patients with Crohn's disease: results of an observational cohort study

BACKGROUND

Surgical recurrence rates among patients with Crohn's disease with ileocolic resection (ICR) remain high, and factors predicting surgical recurrence remain controversial. We aimed to identify risk and protective factors for repetitive ICRs among patients with Crohn's disease in a large cohort of patients.

METHODS

Data on 305 patients after first ICR were retrieved from our cross-sectional and prospective database (median follow-up: 15 yr [0-52 yr]). Data were compared between patients with 1 (ICR = 1, n = 225) or more than 1 (ICR >1, n = 80) resection. Clinical phenotypes were classified according to the Montreal Classification. Gender, family history of inflammatory bowel disease, smoking status, type of surgery, immunomodulator, and biological therapy before, parallel to and after first ICR were analyzed.

RESULTS

The mean duration from diagnosis until first ICR did not differ significantly between the groups, being 5.93 ± 7.65 years in the ICR = 1 group and 5.36 ± 6.35 years in the ICR >1 group (P = 0.05). Mean time to second ICR was 6.7 ± 5.74 years. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, ileal disease location (odds ratio [OR], 2.42; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02-5.78; P = 0.05) was a significant risk factor. A therapy with immunomodulators at time of or within 1 year after first ICR (OR, 0.23; 95% CI, 0.09-0.63; P < 0.01) was a protective factor. Neither smoking (OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 0.66-2.06) nor gender (male OR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.51-1.42) or family history (OR, 1.68; 95% CI, 0.84-3.36) had a significant impact on surgical recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Immunomodulators have a protective impact regarding surgical recurrence after ICR. In contrast, ileal disease location constitutes a significant risk factor for a second ICR.

Personalizing therapy for inflammatory bowel diseases

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs; e.g., Crohn's disease [CD] and ulcerative colitis [UC]) are chronic immunologically mediated diseases characterized by frequent relapses, often requiring hospitalization and surgery. There is substantial heterogeneity in the progressive natural history of disease with cumulative accrual of bowel damage and impairment of functioning. Recent advances in therapeutics have significantly improved our ability to achieve disease remission; yet therapies remain expensive and are associated with significant side effects precluding widespread use in all patients with IBD. Consequently, algorithms for the management of patients with IBD require a personalized approach incorporating an individual's projected likely natural history, the probability of response to a specific therapeutic agent and an informed approach to management of loss of response to current therapies.

Repeat intestinal resections increase the risk of recurrence of Crohn's disease

BACKGROUND

Which factors predict recurrence in patients with Crohn's disease in the era of immunosuppressive medications is still under debate.

OBJECTIVE

The current study was conducted to assess long-term outcome after ileocolic resection for Crohn's disease and to define predictive factors for surgical relapse.

DESIGN

This is a retrospective study.

SETTINGS

The study was conducted in a tertiary referral center.

PATIENTS

A consecutive cohort of patients (n = 203) with Crohn's disease who underwent ileocolic resection between 1997 and 2006 were analyzed. The mean follow-up time was 8.4 (±2.4) years.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The cumulative probability for repeated intestinal resection for recurrent Crohn's disease was described by Kaplan-Meier curves. Predictors of surgical recurrence were analyzed by univariate tests.

RESULTS

One hundred five patients (51.7%) were exposed to azathioprine/6-mercaptopurine, and 28 patients (13.8%) were exposed to tumor necrosis factor-α blockers after operation. During the follow-up period, 32 patients (15.8%) were reoperated on for disease recurrence. At 5 and 10 years after index surgery, 95.5% and 81.3% of the patients had reoperation-free survival. Previous resections for Crohn's disease (HR, 2.981; 95% CI, 1.411-6.29; p = 0.003) and urgent indication for surgery (HR, 2.729; 95% CI, 1.047-7.116; p = 0.03) were significant risk factors for reoperation. In addition, patients with postoperative complications following ileocolonic resection were more likely to require reoperation (HR, 1.712; 95% CI, 041-2.817; p = 0.03). In a multiple Cox regression model, previous intestinal resection for Crohn's disease remained significant (p = 0.0114) with a HR of 2.654 (95% CI, 1.246-5.654).

LIMITATIONS

The limitation is the retrospective design of the study, with its potential selection bias.

CONCLUSION

In the present analysis, previous intestinal resection for Crohn's disease was found to be an independent risk factor for surgical recurrence. Consequently, shorter surveillance intervals in this group of patients should be considered.

Postoperative recurrent luminal Crohn's disease: a systematic review

Despite improved immunosuppressive therapy, surgical resection is still often required for uncontrolled inflammatory disease and the stenosing and perforating complications of Crohn's disease. However, surgery is not curative. A majority of patients develop disease recurrence at or above the anastomosis. Subclinical endoscopically identifiable recurrence precedes the development of clinical symptoms; identification and treatment of early mucosal recurrence may therefore prevent clinical recurrence. Therapy to achieve mucosal healing should now be the focus of postoperative therapy. A number of clinical risk factors for the development of earlier postoperative recurrence have been identified, and reasonable evidence is now available regarding the efficacy of drug therapies in preventing recurrence. This evidence now needs to be incorporated into prospective treatment strategies.

Review article: the natural history of postoperative Crohn's disease recurrence

BACKGROUND

Surgical resection of the diseased bowel in Crohn's disease is unfortunately not curative, and postoperative recurrence remains a problem in these patients.

AIM

To review the rates of and risk factors for clinical and endoscopic recurrence in population-based studies, referral centres and randomised controlled trials.

METHODS

We searched MEDLINE (source PUBMED, 1966 to September, 2011).

RESULTS

In randomised controlled trials, clinical recurrence in the first year after surgery occurred in 10-38% of patients, whereas endoscopic recurrence in the first year was reported in 35-85% of patients. In population-based studies, approximately half of patients experienced clinical recurrence at 10 years. In referral centres, 48-93% of the patients had endoscopic lesions (Rutgeerts' score ≥1) in the neoterminal ileum within 1 year after surgery, whereas 20-37% had symptoms suggestive of clinical recurrence. Three years after surgery, the endoscopic postoperative recurrence rate increased to 85-100%, and symptomatic recurrence occurred in 34-86% of patients. Smoking is the strongest risk factor for postoperative recurrence, increasing by twofold, the risk of clinical recurrence. Prior intestinal resection, penetrating behaviour, perianal disease and extensive bowel disease (>50 cm) are established risk factors for postoperative recurrence. Risk factors for postoperative recurrence remain poorly defined in population-based cohorts.

CONCLUSION

Endoscopic and clinical postoperative recurrence remains common in patients with Crohn's disease, and the identification of risk factors may allow targeted strategies to reduce this recurrence rate.

Factors associated with operative recurrence early after resection for Crohn's disease

INTRODUCTION

Some Crohn's disease (CD) patients develop rapid disease recurrence requiring reoperation. Identification of factors associated with early operative recurrence of CD may help risk-stratify patients and prevent recurrence.

METHODS

Prospectively collected data of CD patients undergoing bowel resection for CD with unequivocal evidence of recurrence at reoperation were retrieved. Patients with earlier recurrence (less than median time of recurrence of study cohort) were compared with those who developed later recurrence (greater than median time of recurrence) for patient and disease characteristics and risk factors for recurrence. A multivariate logistic regression model was performed to identify factors associated with earlier operative recurrence.

RESULTS

Sixty-nine patients (45 female, 24 male) met the inclusion criteria. Median time to reoperation was 38 months (range, 3.3-236 months). One hundred six reoperations in the 69 patients were for abscess/fistula/perforation (n = 45), stricture/stenosis (n = 41), inflammation (n = 17), bleeding (n = 2), and dysplasia (n = 1). Factors associated with early rather than late reoperation included behavior of disease (stricturing, odds ratio (OR) 12.1; confidence interval (CI), 1.8-80.9; penetrating OR, 9.9; CI, 1.4-67.9 rather than nonstricturing nonpenetrating) and the development of postoperative complications at previous surgery (OR, 12.1; CI, 1.2-126.6).

CONCLUSION

Earlier recurrence of CD requiring reoperation is associated with specific disease and potentially modifiable operation-related factors such as postoperative complications, i.e., anastomotic leak or intraabdominal abscess. Strategies to reduce recurrence in such patients include the identification of factors that may reduce postoperative complications.

Prognostic factors and long-term clinical outcomes for surgical patients with intestinal Behcet's disease

BACKGROUND

To date there have been few studies regarding the efficacy of surgical treatment and related prognostic factors following intestinal resection in patients with intestinal Behcet's disease (BD). Here we investigated the long-term clinical outcomes and related prognostic factors after surgical treatment for intestinal BD.

METHODS

We reviewed the medical records of 72 patients with intestinal BD who underwent surgery between March 1986 and May 2010. Prognostic factors were identified by univariate analysis using the Kaplan-Meier method, the log-rank test, and multivariate analysis using Cox proportional hazards regression models.

RESULTS

Recurrence after surgical treatment was observed in 42 (58.3%) patients and reoperations were performed in 22 (30.6%) patients. The cumulative recurrence rates after surgical treatment were 29.2% at 2 years and 47.2% at 5 years; the cumulative reoperation rates were 12.5% at 2 years and 22.2% at 5 years. Multivariate analysis identified volcano-shaped ulcers, higher C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (≥ 4.4 mg/dL), and the presence of intestinal perforations detected by pathology as independent predictive factors for recurrence. Moreover, volcano-shaped ulcers, higher CRP levels (≥ 4.4 mg/dL), and a history of postoperative steroid therapy were independent predictive factors for reoperation.

CONCLUSIONS

According to the current study, volcano-shaped ulcers, higher CRP levels, a history of postoperative steroid therapy, and the presence of intestinal perforations detected by pathology were factors of a poor prognosis. Careful follow-up is required in surgical patients with these risk factors, who are at high risk for recurrence and reoperation.

Reoperative inflammatory bowel disease surgery

With the advent of restorative proctocolectomy or ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) for ulcerative colitis (UC), not only has there been potential for cure of UC but also patients have enjoyed marked improvements in bowel function, continence, and quality of life. However, IPAA can be complicated by postoperative small bowel obstruction, disease recurrence, and pouch failure secondary to pelvic sepsis, pouch dysfunction, mucosal inflammation, and neoplastic transformation. These may necessitate emergent or expeditious elective reoperation to salvage the pouch and preserve adequate function. Local, transanal, and transabdominal approaches to IPAA salvage are described, and their indications, outcomes, and the clinical parameters that affect the need for salvage are discussed. Pouch excision for failed salvage reoperation is reviewed as well. Relaparotomy is also frequently required for recurrent Crohn's disease (CD), especially given the nature of this as yet incurable illness. Risk factors for CD recurrence are examined, and the various surgical options and margins of resection are evaluated with a focus on bowel-sparing policy. Stricturoplasty, its outcomes, and its importance in recurrent disease are discussed, and segmental resection is compared with more extensive procedures such as total colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis. Lastly, laparoscopy is addressed with respect to its long-term outcomes, effect on surgical recurrence, and its application in the management of recurrent CD.

Recurrence patterns after first resection for stricturing or penetrating Crohn's disease

BACKGROUND

Crohn's disease (CD) usually recurs after resection, but the factors associated with this risk remain obscure. We set out to determine the role of stricturing (Montreal Classification B2) versus penetrating (Classification B3) disease behavior in predicting early (<3 years) versus late (>or=3 years) postoperative recurrence.

METHODS

We identified a cohort of 34 patients seen at The Mount Sinai Hospital who had undergone a first ileocolic resection prior to December 31, 2004, who had been clinically thought to have had stricturing (B2) disease, and for whom we could verify 1) the operative and surgical pathology findings; and 2) the time of onset of symptoms attributable to recurrent CD by endoscopy, radiology, or surgery. Cases were reclassified as either "stricturing" (B2) or "penetrating" (B3) on the basis of operative and surgical pathology reports. Recurrences were classified as either "early" (<3 years) or "late" (>or=3 years) depending on the first appearance of postoperative symptoms that were verified endoscopically and histologically, radiologically, or surgically as being attributable to anastomotic recurrence of the CD.

RESULTS

Among these 34 patients clinically thought to have had B2 disease, 12 had B2 disease confirmed upon review of surgical and pathology reports and none of them had recurrence within 3 years. Among the 22 patients reclassified as B3 disease, 12 (55%) had early recurrence. This difference was significant at the 0.002 level by the Fisher Exact Test.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a strong proclivity for early postoperative recurrence of penetrating CD compared to stricturing disease, which may not be evident by behavioral classification on clinical grounds alone. Patients with confirmed uncomplicated stricturing obstruction at their first resection seem unlikely to experience a clinical recurrence within the next 3 years.

Influence of phenotype at diagnosis and of other potential prognostic factors on the course of inflammatory bowel disease

OBJECTIVES

Disease course in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is variable and difficult to predict. To optimize prognosis, it is of interest to identify phenotypic characteristics at disease onset and other prognostic factors that predict disease course. The aim of this study was to evaluate such factors in a population-based IBD group.

METHODS

IBD patients diagnosed between 1 January 1991 and 1 January 2003 were included. A follow-up questionnaire was developed and medical records were reviewed. Patients were classified according to phenotype at diagnosis and risk factors were registered. Disease severity, cumulative medication use, and "surgical" and "nonsurgical" recurrence rates were calculated as outcome parameters.

RESULTS

In total, 476 Crohn's disease (CD), 630 ulcerative colitis (UC), and 81 indeterminate colitis (IC) patients were diagnosed. In CD (mean follow-up 7.6 years), 50% had undergone resective surgery. In UC (mean follow-up 7 years), colectomy rate was 8.3%. First year cumulative recurrence rates per 100 patient-years for CD, UC, and IC were 53, 44, and 42%, respectively. In CD, small bowel localization and stricturing disease were negative prognostic factors for surgery, as was young age. Overall recurrence rate was increased by young age and current smoking. In UC, extensive colitis increased surgical risk. In UC, older age at diagnosis initially increased recurrence risk but was subsequently protective.

CONCLUSIONS

This population-based IBD study showed high recurrence rates in the first year. In CD, small bowel localization, stricturing disease, and young age were predictive for disease recurrence. In UC, extensive colitis and older age at diagnosis were negative prognostic predictors.

A meta-analysis comparing incidence of recurrence and indication for reoperation after surgery for perforating versus nonperforating Crohn's disease

OBJECTIVE

This study used meta-analytical techniques to compare the incidence of recurrence and the indication for reoperation in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) who underwent their first operation, due to perforating disease versus patients who underwent their first operation due to nonperforating disease.

METHODS

Comparative studies published between 1988 and 2005 of perforating versus nonperforating CD were included. Using a random effects model, end points evaluated were recurrence of CD given as reoperation, and the indication for reoperation, i.e., perforating or nonperforating. Heterogeneity (HG) was assessed and a sensitivity analysis was performed to account for bias in patient selection.

RESULTS

Thirteen studies (12 nonrandomized retrospective, 1 nonrandomized prospective) reported on 3,044 patients, of which 1,337 (43.9%) had perforating indications (P group) and 1,707 (56.1%) had nonperforating indications (NP group) for surgery. The recurrence was found to be significantly higher in the P group compared to the NP group (HR 1.50, P= 0.002), with significant HG among studies (P < 0.001). The recurrence remained significantly higher in the P group compared with the NP group during sensitivity analysis of high-quality studies (HR 1.47, P= 0.005) and more recent studies (HR 1.51, P= 0.05), but still demonstrating significant HG (P= 0.08 and P < 0.001, respectively). At reoperation, concordance was found in the disease type of those patients re-presenting with perforating disease (OR 5.93, P < 0.001, without significant HG among studies P= 0.15) and those with nonperforating disease (OR 5.73, P < 0.001, with significant HG among studies P < 0.001). Concordance in disease type remained when considering only high-quality studies (P: OR 7.48, P < 0.001; NP: OR 7.48, P < 0.001) and more recent studies (P: OR 5.95, P < 0.001; NP: OR 5.95, P < 0.001), both not associated with HG among studies (P= 0.47 and P= 0.60, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The indication for reoperation in CD tends to be the same as the primary operation, i.e., perforating disease tends to re-present as perforating disease, and nonperforating as nonperforating. Also, perforating CD appears to be associated with a higher recurrence rate compared with nonperforating CD. However, because of significant HG among studies, further studies should be undertaken to confirm this finding.

Early symptomatic recurrence after intestinal resection in Crohn's disease is unpredictable

OBJECTIVE

To identify predictors of early symptomatic recurrence of Crohn's disease (CD) after surgical resection.

METHOD

We studied a cohort of 128 patients who had undergone at least one intestinal resection for CD. Factors that might predict early recurrence were documented for analysis using a standardized pro forma. These comprised age, gender, family history, extra-intestinal manifestations, smoking, complicated disease at first presentation, site of disease, preoperative inflammatory markers, involvement of resection margins, orientation and method of anastomosis and postoperative medical therapy. All symptomatic recurrences were confirmed by endoscopic, radiological, or operative means. We defined early recurrence as that which occurred within 36 months of first surgery. Univariate analysis was conducted to compare the distribution of each factor in those who developed early recurrence (n = 48) and those who remained disease free for the first 36 months (n = 50).

RESULTS

Of the 128 patients studied, 98 fulfilled the inclusion criteria of at least 36 months of follow up. Of these patients, 48 (49%) patients developed recurrence. Trends towards fewer early recurrences were seen in patients with colonic disease (33%vs 56%, P = 0.068). Of the current smokers, 60% developed early recurrence compared with 43% of nonsmokers (P = 0.269). All other factors examined were similarly distributed between the two groups. Metronidazole as adjuvant treatment does not appear to protect against early symptomatic recurrence.

CONCLUSION

This study shows that early symptomatic postoperative recurrence of CD remains unpredictable. Against expectation, abstinence from smoking and postoperative adjuvant metronidazole did not appear to protect against early symptomatic recurrence.

Factors affecting recurrence in patients with Crohn's disease under nutritional therapy

PURPOSE

This retrospective study was designed to determine risk factors for recurrence of Crohn's disease under enteral nutrition.

METHODS

The clinical course of 145 patients with Crohn's disease, who were primarily induced into remission by total parenteral nutrition, was reviewed. The patients were classified into two groups: enteral nutrition group (n = 98; >/=1,200 kcal/day of enteral nutrition), or nonenteral nutrition group (n = 47;<1,200 kcal/day of enteral nutrition) according to the amount of their daily elemental or polymeric diet. Contributions of enteral nutrition and other clinical variables to the recurrence were analyzed retrospectively. A Crohn's disease activity index of >150 plus an increase in Crohn's disease activity index of >70 from the baseline value was defined as recurrence.

RESULTS

Forty-two patients in the enteral nutrition group and 29 patients in the nonenteral nutrition group recurred during periods ranging from 3 to 159 months. The cumulative rate of recurrence was significantly higher in the nonenteral nutrition group than in the enteral nutrition group (P = 0.047). Among the Crohn's disease patients in the enteral nutrition group, penetrating type (relative risk, 3.89; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.58-9.62), colonic involvement (relative risk, 3.10; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.39-6.9), and previous history of surgery (relative risk, 2.48; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.16-5.33) were factors that significantly affected recurrence. In contrast, penetrating type was the only possible factor associated with recurrence in the nonenteral nutrition group (relative risk, 2.75; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.96-7.81).

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients with Crohn's disease under maintenance enteral nutrition, the risk of recurrence differs according to the disease type and the site of involvement. The maintenance treatment by enteral nutrition alone seems insufficient for patients with penetrating type or with colonic involvement.

Factors associated with disease evolution in Greek patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Background

The majority of Crohn's disease patients with B1 phenotype at diagnosis (i.e. non-stricturing non-penetrating disease) will develop over time a stricturing or a penetrating pattern. Conflicting data exist on the rate of proximal disease extension in ulcerative colitis patients with proctitis or left-sided colitis at diagnosis. We aimed to study disease evolution in Crohn's disease B1 patients and ulcerative colitis patients with proctitis and left-sided colitis at diagnosis.

Methods

116 Crohn's disease and 256 ulcerative colitis patients were followed-up for at least 5 years after diagnosis. Crohn's disease patients were classified according to the Vienna criteria. Data were analysed actuarially.

Results

B1 phenotype accounted for 68.9% of Crohn's disease patients at diagnosis. The cumulative probability of change in disease behaviour in B1 patients was 43.6% at 10 years after diagnosis. Active smoking (Hazard Ratio: 3.01) and non-colonic disease (non-L2) (Hazard Ratio: 3.01) were associated with behavioural change in B1 patients. Proctitis and left-sided colitis accounted for 24.2%, and 48.4% of ulcerative colitis patients at diagnosis. The 10 year cumulative probability of proximal disease extension in patients with proctitis and left-sided colitis was 36.8%, and 17.1%, respectively (p: 0.003). Among proctitis patients, proximal extension was more common in non-smokers (Hazard Ratio: 4.39).

Conclusion

Classification of Crohn's disease patients in B1 phenotype should be considered as temporary. Smoking and non-colonic disease are risk factors for behavioural change in B1 Crohn's disease patients. Proximal extension is more common in ulcerative colitis patients with proctitis than in those with left-sided colitis. Among proctitis patients, proximal extension is more common in non-smokers.

Hospitalization, surgery, and readmission rates of IBD in Canada: a population-based study

BACKGROUND

We aimed to define the rates of hospitalization and readmission for inflammatory bowel disease in Canada.

METHODS

The data source was Statistics Canada Person Oriented Information Database (1994-2001). The number of stays for a diagnosis of Crohn's disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC) by ICD-9-CM code 555 or 556 was extracted (and assessed when CD or UC was the first diagnosis or was 1 of 16 diagnoses on the patient discharge abstract). Age-, gender-, and disease-specific rates of hospitalization, length of stay, readmission, and surgery were assessed.

RESULTS

The age-adjusted hospitalization rate for CD declined over 1994-2001 from 29.2 to 26.9/100,000 but was stable for UC at 12.6-13.3 per 100,000. In the 7 yr, 39.4% of CD patients (21.3-24.0%/yr) and 33.7% of UC patients (18.5-20.3%/yr) got readmitted at least once. The average length of stay declined from 10.3 (1994-1995) to 9.1 days (2000-2001) (p = 0.029) in CD and in UC declined from 12.2 to 10.1 days (p = 0.054). Of all hospitalizations, major surgery occurred in 48% of CD (44.8-49.8% per yr) and 55% of UC (51.5-59.0% per yr).

CONCLUSIONS

Rates of hospitalization declined slightly for CD over the 7 yr but still remained twice as great as the rates for UC. Approximately 20% of CD and UC subjects got readmitted per year and over 7 yr approximately 35% got readmitted. Major surgery was a more common reason for hospitalization in UC than in CD.

Crohn's disease patients carrying Nod2/CARD15 gene variants have an increased and early need for first surgery due to stricturing disease and higher rate of surgical recurrence

OBJECTIVE

To study the predictive value of Nod2/CARD15 gene variants along with disease phenotypic characteristics for requirement of initial surgery and for surgical recurrence in Crohn's disease (CD).

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

Nod2/CARD15 gene variants play an important role in the susceptibility to CD. Studies of genotype-phenotype relationship suggest that these variants are associated with development of intestinal strictures. Preliminary reports analyzing the association between these variants and need for surgery have produced inconsistent results.

METHODS

A total of 170 CD patients were included prospectively in the study and followed up regularly for a mean of 7.4 +/- 6.1 years. Clinical characteristics of CD, time and indication for surgery, and recurrence were registered. Nod2/CARD15 gene variants were determined by DNA sequencing analysis.

RESULTS

Surgery for stricturing disease was significantly more frequent in patients with Nod2/CARD15 variants in the univariate analysis (odds ratio [OR], 3.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.42-9.27), and it was required at an earlier time (P = 0.004). Only Nod2/CARD15 variants (OR, 3.58; 95% CI, 1.21-10.5) and stricturing phenotype at diagnosis of CD (OR, 9.34; 95% CI, 2.56-33.3) were independent predictive factors of initial surgery for stricturing lesions in the multivariate analysis. Among 70 patients that required surgery, postoperative recurrence was also more frequent in patients with Nod2/CARD15 variants in the univariate and multivariate analysis (OR, 3.29; 95% CI, 1.13-9.56), and reoperation was needed at an earlier time (P = 0.03).

CONCLUSION

Nod2/CARD15 variants are associated with early initial surgery due to stenosis and with surgical recurrence in Crohn's disease. Patients with these variants could benefit from preventive and/or early therapeutic strategies.

Preventive effect of nutritional therapy against postoperative recurrence of Crohn disease, with reference to findings determined by intra-operative enteroscopy

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to elucidate the predictive value of intra-operative enteroscopy (IOE) and the effect of enteral nutrition (EN) with regard to the postoperative recurrence of Crohn disease (CD).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Forty patients requiring surgery for severe intestinal complications of CD were examined by IOE, and the severity of the remnant small intestine was determined. Patients were subclassified into either an EN group (>1,200 kcal/day) or a non-EN group (<1,200 kcal/day) according to the amount of daily EN intake after surgery. Contributions of IOE findings and EN to postoperative recurrence were analysed retrospectively.

RESULTS

IOE identified intestinal lesions in 39 patients and active intestinal lesions in 24 patients. The cumulative rate of postoperative recurrence was significantly higher in patients with cobblestone appearance confirmed by IOE (p=0.006). However, other active intestinal lesions were not related to postoperative recurrence. EN reduced the cumulative rate of postoperative recurrence (p=0.017), especially in patients with penetrating type (p=0.005), in patients who did not have colitis (p=0.051) and in patients who did not have active intestinal lesions confirmed by IOE (p=0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

EN is a prophylactic that prevents the postoperative recurrence of small intestinal CD. Patients with the penetrating type of CD, and those who do not have active lesions in the small intestine according to IOE, are candidates for EN after surgery.

Postoperative Crohn's disease

More than three quarters of patients with Crohn's disease (CD) will require surgery. After resection, disease recurs postoperatively with a median time to second resection of about 10 years. Despite its importance, the postoperative period remains one of the most poorly understood clinical settings in the field. Postoperatively, CD may exhibit unique pathophysiologic features, but the current state of knowledge does not allow for identification of patients at risk for relapse, and leaves clinicians without guidance on optimal maintenance treatment. Therapies used as maintenance for CD in other settings may have different efficacies when used after surgery, and clinical research in patients requiring surgery is limited by the subset of patients available for study. Despite the many limitations in current knowledge of postoperative CD, it is an exciting field because new developments have improved patient care, and ongoing research has the potential for further gains.

Factors affecting recurrence after surgery for Crohn’s disease

Although in Crohn’s disease post-operative recurrence is common, the determinants of disease recurrence remain speculative. The aim of this study was to examine factors affecting post-operative recurrence of Crohn’s disease. A Medline-based literature review was carried out. The following factors were investigated: age at onset of disease, sex, family history of Crohn’s disease, smoking, duration of Crohn’s disease before surgery, prophylactic medical treatment (corticosteroids, 5-amino salicylic acid [5-ASA] and immunosuppressants), anatomical site of involvement, indication for surgery (perforating or non-perforating disease), length of resected bowel, anast-omotic technique, presence of granuloma in the specimen, involvement of disease at the resection margin, blood transfusions and post-operative complications. Smoking significantly increases the risk of recurrence (risk is approximately twice as high), especially in women and heavy smokers. Quitting smoking reduces the post-operative recurrence rate. A number of studies have shown a higher risk when the duration of the disease before surgery was short. There were, however, different definitions of ‘short’ among the studies. Prophylactic cortic-osteroids therapy is not effective in reducing the post-operative recurrence. A number of randomized controlled trials offered evidence of the efficacy of 5-ASA (mesalazine) in reducing post-operative recurrence. Recently, the thera-peutic efficacy of immunosuppressive drugs (azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine) in the prevention of post-operative recurrence has been investigated and several studies have reported that these drugs might help prevent the recurrence. Further clinical trials would be necessary to evaluate the prophylactic efficacy of immunosuppressants. Several studies showed a higher recurrence rate in patients with perforating disease than in those with non-perforating disease. However, evidence for differing recurrence rates in perforating and non-perforating diseases is inconclusive. A number of retrospective studies reported that a stapled functional end-to-end anastomosis was associated with a lower recurrence rate compared with other types of anastomosis. However, prospective randomized studies would be necessary to draw a definite conclusion. Many studies found no difference in the recurrence rates between patients with radical resection and non-radical resection. Therefore, minimal surgery including strictureplasty has been justified in the management of Crohn’s disease. In this review, the following factors do not seem to be predictive of post-operative recurrence: age at onset of disease, sex, family history of Crohn’s disease, anatomical site of disease, length of resected bowel, presence of granuloma in the specimen, blood transfusions and post-operative complications. The most significant factor affecting post-operative recurrence of Crohn’s disease is smoking. Smoking significantly increases the risk of recurrence. A short disease duration before surgery seems, albeit to a very minor degree, to be associated with a higher recurrence rate. 5-ASA has been shown with some degree of confidence to lead to a lower recurrence rate. The prophylactic efficacy of immunosuppressive drugs should be assessed in future. A wider anastomotic technique after resection may reduce the post-operative recurrence rate, though this should be investigated with prospective randomized controlled trials.

Crohn's disease--when to operate?

Crohn's disease is a chronic bowel condition, which can present as a number of different clinical and pathological presentations, depending on localization and activity of the inflammatory process. The aethiology of the disease has not been explained. In each case the treatment should be individually tailored depending on the type of the changes. The indications for surgical intervention are continuous bleedings, recurrent ileus, perforation of the intestine, abscesses, fistulas, failure of pharmacological treatment, resistance to steroids and steroid dependence. In case of the mild type of the disease with few symptoms pharmacological treatment is the right choice In case of the mild type of the disease with few symptoms pharmacological treatment is the right choice process. In malign form of Crohn's disease lack of improvement after 7-10 days of intensive treatment is generally accepted indication for surgical treatment. Fulminant form of the disease is still a clear-cut indication for immediate surgical intervention. Decision on surgical intervention is more difficult and controversial when patient presents with series of subileus recurrences subsiding after conservative treatment. Patients with stenotic form of Crohn's disease usually require multiple operations most of which are bowel resections. Patients with stenotic form of Crohn's disease usually require multiple operations most of which are bowel resections therapy. External and internal asymptomatic fistulas should be treated conservatively. The timing of surgical treatment is essential in Crohn's disease however the prevention from recurrences is also fundamental. It is well proved that preventive administration of 5-ASA (especially mesalazine) and metronidazol can reduce the risk of early recurrences after surgery.

Outcome of patients with nonstenotic, nonfistulizing Crohn's disease

The nonstenotic, nonfistulizing (or inflammatory) pattern of Crohn's disease appears to be unstable in time and may evolve toward either the stenotic or the fistulizing pattern. We aimed to assess the course of the inflammatory disease and its relation to certain clinical characteristics. After a mean follow-up of 93 months, we evaluated 73 patients with an inflammatory pattern. The behavior trend and its relation to disease location, initial treatment, and need for corticosteroids, immunosuppressors, and surgical resection were analyzed. In 64% of the patients the inflammatory pattern did not change, while in 14 and 22% it evolved toward a stenotic and a fistulizing pattern, respectively. This change was mainly determined by the appearance of perianal disease (75%). The mean time to behavior evolution was 67 months. Most patients required corticosteroids (92%). Need for immunosuppressors (48%) and surgical resection (30%) was significantly greater (P < 0.05) among patients with a change in pattern than in those with persistent inflammatory disease. The inflammatory pattern of CD remains stable in about half of patients. The course of this pattern is not indolent, however, since the needs for immunosuppression and surgical resection during follow-up are considerable.

Bowel wall thickness at abdominal ultrasound and the one-year-risk of surgery in patients with Crohn's disease

OBJECTIVES

Abdominal ultrasound can assess the extent and localization of Crohn's disease, and an increased bowel wall thickness is the most common finding. Our aim was to correlate bowel wall thickness at ultrasound, with the risk of short-term surgical outcome in patients with Crohn's disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From 1997 to 2000 we performed ultrasound in 174 consecutive patients with Crohn's disease. Surgical operations were recorded over a 1-yr follow-up. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify clinical and ultrasound risk factors for surgery.

RESULTS

Fifty-two patients underwent surgery within 1 yr. Indication for surgery was strictures in most of the cases. Median bowel wall thickness was higher in patients with surgery (8 mm) than those without surgery (6 mm) (p < 0.0001). A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was constructed taking into account bowel wall thickness for selecting patients with a high risk of surgery. The optimized cut-off for equally important sensitivity and specificity was calculated at 7.008 mm. The binary regression analysis showed that CDAI > 150, absence of previous surgery, stricturing-penetrating pattern, the presence of intestinal complications, and intestinal wall thickness >7 mm were associated with an increased risk of surgery. Patients with intestinal wall thickness >7 mm at ultrasound had the highest risk (OR: 19.521, 95% CI: 5.362-71.065).

CONCLUSIONS

Data suggest that bowel wall thickness >7 mm at ultrasound is a risk factor for intestinal resection over a short period of time. Routine use of abdominal ultrasound during evaluation of patients with Crohn's disease may identify a subgroup that is at high risk for surgery. (Am J Gastroenterol 2004;99:1-7)

Disease location, anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibody, and NOD2/CARD15 genotype influence the progression of disease behavior in Crohn's disease

BACKGROUND

Crohn's disease (CD) is characterized by heterogeneity of phenotype. The Vienna classification can be used to classify CD, and recent data illustrate that behavior evolves over the course of the disease. Clinical and biological influences on disease progression remain unclear. We examined the associations of CD disease progression at diagnosis and for up to 20 years of follow-up.

METHODS

Two hundred thirty-one well-characterized CD patients were studied. Demographic, clinical, and NOD2/CARD15 data were collected. Disease behavior according to the Vienna classification was assessed at diagnosis and for up to 20 years following diagnosis.

RESULTS

At diagnosis, 70% of patients had inflammatory disease, 9% stricturing, and 21% penetrating. Early age at diagnosis was associated with ileocolonic and upper GI disease (p = 0.015), and positive anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibody (ASCA) was associated with ileal involvement (p = 0.008). Smoking was relatively protective against colonic, rather than ileal involvement at diagnosis (p < 0.02). At 20 years, 92% had progressed to a more severe disease type. Patients who progress to a more severe disease type require more frequent surgery (p < 0.00001). Multivariate analysis found disease progression to be associated with ileal disease location (p = 0.001) and positive ASCA (p = 0.003). Variant NOD2/CARD15 alleles were protective against rapid progression of disease phenotype (p = 0.04). The presence of perianal disease was independent of intestinal penetrating disease.

CONCLUSIONS

The progression of disease type in CD is associated with the need for more frequent surgery. Rapid progression is associated with ileal disease and positive ASCA, and delayed progression is associated with variant NOD2/CARD15 alleles. Consideration should be given to a separate Vienna classification for perianal disease.

A prospective, longitudinal study of nonconventional strictureplasty in Crohn’s disease1 1No competing interests declared

BACKGROUND

Bowel-sparing techniques have been proposed to avoid extended or repeated resections in patients with Crohn'rsquo;s disease (CD), but without precise indications, prospective evaluation, and with a technically limited repertoire.

STUDY DESIGN

A prospective longitudinal study of new nonconventional strictureplasties (NCSP) in order to evaluate the safety, type and site of recurrence, and longterm clinical and surgical efficacy.

RESULTS

Between January 1993 and December 2002, 102 among 305 consecutive patients underwent at least one NCSP for complicated CD. Patients were treated following precise indications and then included in a prospective database with scheduled followup. Factors claimed to influence postoperative and longterm outcomes and type and site of recurrence were analyzed. We performed 48 ileoileal side-to-side isoperistaltic strictureplasty (SP), 41 widening ileocolic SP, 32 ileocolic side-to-side isoperistaltic SP, associated with Heineke-Mikulicz SP (in 80 procedures) or with minimal bowel resections or both (in 47 procedures). Postoperative mortality was nil; complication rate was 5.7%. Ten years clinical and surgical recurrence rates were 43% and 27%, respectively. Recurrence rate on an NCSP site was 0.8%. No specific factor was identified as related to postoperative or longterm outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Perioperative and longterm results of NCSP are comparable to or even better than both conservative and resective surgery as reported in the literature, with a low recurrence rate on the NCSP site. Considering the unpredictability of the clinical course of CD and the lifetime need for surgical procedures, NCSP, together with minimal resection and classic SP repertoire, should be considered first-line treatment in complicated CD.

Azatioprina y mesalazina en la prevención de la recurrencia posquirúrgica en la enfermedad de Crohn: estudio retrospectivo

OBJECTIVES

Surgical resection is still a mainstay of the treatment of Crohn's disease (CD). However, recurrence is the rule. The aim of the present study was to evaluate CD recurrence in a series of patients who underwent surgical resection with subsequent treatment with azathioprine (AZA) or mesalazine (5-ASA) and to identify the factors associated with recurrence.

METHODS

The medical records of patients with CD who underwent bowel resection during a 4-year period were reviewed. Only patients who received AZA or 5-ASA as prophylaxis for recurrence were included.

RESULTS

Thirty-three patients treated with AZA and 16 treated with 5-ASA were included. Endoscopic recurrence was found in 8.6% of the AZA group and in 87.5% of the 5-ASA group (p <0.001). Clinical recurrence occurred in 31.2% of patients in the 5-ASA group and in none in the AZA group (p=0.004). The accumulated probability of both clinical and endoscopic recurrence was significantly lower in the AZA group (p=0.0025 and p=0.005, respectively). Factors associated with a greater risk of endoscopic recurrence were termino-terminal anastomosis and 5-ASA treatment. The only factor associated with clinical recurrence was 5-ASA treatment.

CONCLUSION

AZA seems to be more effective than 5-ASA in the prevention of postsurgical endoscopic recurrence of CD. Prospective studies with long-term follow-up are required to establish the true utility of AZA in the prophylaxis of CD recurrence.

Is it time to re-classify Crohn's disease?

From the original anatomic classification of Crohn's disease in 1975, there have been three subsequent published classifications. The most recent, the Vienna Classification arose from a 1998 World Congress of Gastroenterology Working Party that attempted to prospectively design a simple and objective Crohn's disease phenotypic classification that encompassed components of age at onset, anatomic location and disease behavior. Subsequent application of the Vienna Classification to clinical practice has demonstrated that the Crohn's disease phenotype changes markedly over time, with nearly 80% of inflammatory disease ultimately evolving into a stricturing or penetrating pattern of behavior, and 15% undergoing a change in anatomic location. Furthermore, in controlled studies, the ability of inflammatory bowel disease experts to similarly identify the disease phenotypes, using the Vienna classification, ranges from poor to fair. Taken together, these failings markedly limit the utilization of the Vienna classification of Crohn's disease in clinical trails or disease management. Recent advances in determining the genetic linkages associated with Crohn's disease will undoubtedly lead to a revised Crohn's disease classification that will combine genotype with phenotype. Nevertheless, before this new classification can become a reality we will need to reconcile a number of key elements, including; (1) localization and grouping of all inflammatory bowel disease(IBD) gene mutations, (2) discovering the function of the IBD genes, (3) understanding the impact of the environment on phenotypic expression, and, (4) linking to well-defined phenotypic databases that will permit accurate prediction of disease natural history and therapeutic response. Indeed, the consistency of the phenotypic data available may be the greatest single challenge in unraveling the complexities of inflammatory bowel disease and developing a new classification of Crohn's disease.

Surgical complications of selected gastrointestinal emergencies: pitfalls in management of the acute abdomen

Complaints referable to the abdomen are common emergency department presentations. Many of these conditions prove to be benign and self-limited, whereas others are potentially catastrophic. Because serious and benign intra-abdominal conditions share many relatively nonspecific symptoms, it is often difficult to identify patients who have life-threatening problems early in the course of their disease. Apart from relieving the patient's symptoms, the emergency physician's primary role is to detect and stabilize life-threatening conditions in a rapid and cost-effective manner.

Defining complex contributions of NOD2/CARD15 gene mutations, age at onset, and tobacco use on Crohn's disease phenotypes

BACKGROUND

Multiple factors, particularly IBD family history, tobacco use, age at diagnosis and recently, NOD2 mutant genotypes may influence Crohn's disease (CD) heterogeneity.

METHODS

We performed a multicenter retrospective record analysis of 275 unrelated patients with CD. Age at diagnosis, IBD family history, Jewish ethnicity, tobacco use at diagnosis, surgical history, disease site and clinical behavior were correlated with genotypes for NOD2 mutations, and all risk factors were assessed for independent influence on outcomes of disease site, behavior and surgery free survival.

RESULTS

Risk of ileal disease was increased for CD patients with two NOD2 mutations (Odds Ratio, O.R. 10.1), a smoking history (O.R. 2.25 per pack per day at diagnosis) or a younger age at diagnosis (O.R. 0.97 per each increased year). Presence of ileal disease (O.R. 4.8) and carrying one or two NOD2 mutations (O.R. 1.9 and 3.5, respectively) were independent risk factors for stricturing or non-perianal fistulizing behavior. Ileal disease, youthful onset and smoking at diagnosis (but not NOD2 mutations) were risk factors for early surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Carrying two NOD2 mutations predicts youthful onset, ileal disease involvement, and development of stricturing or non-perianal fistulizing complications. Smoking and early onset independently influence ileal site and time to surgery.

Genotype-based phenotyping heralds a new taxonomy for inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has traditionally been categorized as either ulcerative colitis or Crohn disease on the basis of clinical, radiologic, and histologic criteria. Within these diseases, however, significant heterogeneity is observed, suggesting the existence of phenotypic subtypes, based on features such as location and behavior of disease. Evidence for a possible genetic basis of these subgroups first emerged in the 1990s from epidemiologic studies in multiply affected families. Recent advances in our understanding of the genetics of IBD, in particular the identification of NOD2/CARD15, have provided the opportunity to explore the genetic basis for this heterogeneity. This article reviews recent studies investigating the contribution of genetics to IBD phenotype. Although many of the genes remain unidentified, the emerging data suggests that IBD comprises a heterogeneous family of oligogenic inflammatory disorders in which the specific clinical manifestations of disease in any individual are determined by the interaction of genetic and environmental factors. These data have validated the approach of classifying patients into accurately defined clinical subgroups, and they raise the possibility that a genetic basis for the observed disease heterogeneity may account for the discrepant findings from earlier genetic studies. A future molecular classification will provide the framework to understanding the different biologic mechanisms that underlie the clinical subgroups of IBD and, by patient stratification, permit the unraveling of the complex interaction between the genetic and environmental causes of disease.

Tobacco consumption and disease duration are associated with fistulizing and stricturing behaviors in the first 8 years of Crohn's disease

OBJECTIVES

Crohn's disease (CD) can be classified by site of involvement and by clinical behavior. Claims for stability of behavior are based on patients who have had surgery, usually within 8 yr of diagnosis. Disease during this period may begin as inflammatory and may evolve into stricturing or fistulizing behavior. Our aim was to determine the influence of genetic and environmental factors on the prevalence of inflammatory behavior among patients who have had CD for <8 yr.

METHODS

Disease type (inflammatory, stricturing, or fistulizing), site, and duration were determined in 311 consecutive patients with CD. The analysis was then restricted to those with a disease duration of <8 yr, and influences on the prevalence of inflammatory type disease were compared with those of the complicated type (fistulizing and stricturing), including disease site, family history, Jewish ethnicity, and pack-years of cigarette smoking after diagnosis were determined through univariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

The prevalence of inflammatory type disease was 0.63 and 0.3 (p < 0.0001) in patients with a disease duration of <8 yr and > or =8 yr, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed a 91% decrease in the odds of inflammatory disease among those with > or =1 pack-year of smoking after diagnosis among individuals with disease <8 yr. This was not influenced by disease location, family history of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), or Jewish ethnicity.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of inflammatory CD decreased with time. Tobacco consumption was associated with this decline during the early phase of disease, suggesting that tobacco may influence the progression of inflammatory to stricturing or fistulizing type disease.

Mutations in NOD2 are associated with fibrostenosing disease in patients with Crohn's disease

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The clinical manifestations of Crohn's disease (CD) are diverse, ranging from fibrostenosing small-bowel disease to colon-predominant inflammation. These distinctions may represent genetic, immunologic, and microbial heterogeneity. NOD2 gene mutations in CD have been described recently and may alter innate immune responses. We hypothesized that NOD2 mutations may be associated with distinct phenotypic expressions of CD.

METHODS

Two cohorts of consecutively identified patients referred to an inflammatory bowel disease center (n = 142 collected between 1993 and 1996; n = 59 collected between 1999 and 2001) were genotyped for 3 single nucleotide variants of NOD2-R675W, G881R, and 3020insC-and phenotyped for disease behavior, disease location, and serum immune markers.

RESULTS

Univariate analysis showed that CD-associated NOD2 variants were significantly associated with fibrostenosing disease in each cohort (P = 0.049 and P = 0.002, respectively). When both cohorts were analyzed together, the association between NOD2 variants and fibrostenosing disease was more significant (P = 0.001). These relationships were observed in both Jews and non-Jews. Forty-six percent of patients with fibrostenosing disease carried at least 1 of these alleles, compared with only 23.5% of patients without fibrostenosing disease (odds ratio, 2.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.6-5.2). Multivariate and conditioning analyses showed a primary association between NOD2 allelic variants and fibrostenosing disease, but not with small-bowel disease.

CONCLUSIONS

In this description of a genotype/phenotype correlation in CD patients and NOD2 variants, data suggest that variation in this gene contributes to the occurrence of fibrostenotic CD of the small bowel.