title: Effect of perioperative blood transfusion on recurrence of Crohn's disease.
abstract: The effect of perioperative blood transfusion on recurrence of Crohn's disease was investigated retrospectively in 60 patients with Crohn's disease who underwent small-bowel resection. 28 patients received 1-8 units of blood; the others were not transfused. Both groups were similar in age, duration of Crohn's disease, and preoperative serum albumin, but preoperative haemoglobin, length of intestine resected, and location of small-bowel involvement were different. The patients who received perioperative blood transfusion had a significantly lower recurrence rate by life-table analysis, although the site and greater length of bowel involvement in the transfused patients would normally indicate an increased likelihood of recurrence. 5 years after bowel resection, the cumulative recurrence rate in transfused patients was 19%, compared with 59% in controls. The immunosuppressive effect of blood transfusion may modify the progression of Crohn's disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Wales College of Medicine, Health Park, Cardiff.
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Hughes
mesh_terms: D000206:Actuarial Analysis; D000328:Adult; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000276:immunology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007079:Ileitis / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies