Long-term follow-up in Crohn's disease. Mortality, morbidity, and functional status.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to analyse long-term results of an active approach to surgical treatment of Crohn's disease.


METHODS
One hundred and thirty-six patients were studied after first resection for primary Crohn's disease during 1968-77.


RESULTS
Mean follow-up was 16.6 years; 18 patients had died (3 of Crohn's disease). Cumulative risk for a second resection was 0.40 (95% confidence interval, 0.29-0.51) at 10 years and 0.45 (0.32-0.58) at 15 years, similar in classical disease and colitis. Cumulative risk of a third and fourth resection was 0.5 at 10 years. Median resected bowel length at the first operation was 8%. After two and three resections the cumulative resection was 23% and 33%, respectively. Of the patients 73% claimed full working capacity and 7% had disability pension.


CONCLUSIONS
An active surgical approach in Crohn's disease is associated with low operative mortality and morbidity and good functional results and offers good symptomatic relief.
Nordgren
S R
SR
Dept. of Surgery, University of Göteborg, Sweden.
Fasth
S B
SB
Oresland
T O
TO
Hultén
L A
LA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000601:surgery*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012008:Recurrence; D012086:Reoperation; D012307:Risk Factors; D016019:Survival Analysis