The natural history of fistulizing Crohn's disease in Olmsted County, Minnesota.
OBJECTIVE
Little is known about the cumulative incidence and natural history of fistulas in Crohn's disease in the community.


METHODS
The medical records of all Olmsted County, Minnesota residents who were diagnosed with Crohn's disease from 1970 to 1993 and who developed a fistula were abstracted for clinical features and outcomes. Six patients denied research authorization. The cumulative incidence of fistula from time of diagnosis was estimated by using the Kaplan-Meier product-limit method.


RESULTS
At least 1 fistula occurred in 59 patients (35%), including 33 patients (20%) who developed perianal fistulas. Twenty-six (46%) developed a fistula before or at the time of formal diagnosis. Assuming that the 9 patients with fistula before Crohn's disease diagnosis were instead simultaneous diagnoses, the cumulative risk of any fistula was 33% after 10 years and was 50% after 20 years (perianal, 21% after 10 years and 26% after 20 years). At least 1 recurrent fistula occurred in 20 patients (34%). Most fistulizing episodes (83%) required operations, most of which were minor. However, 11 perianal fistulizing episodes (23%) resulted in bowel resection.


CONCLUSIONS
Fistulas in Crohn's disease were common in the community. In contrast to referral-based studies, only 34% of patients developed recurrent fistulas. Surgical treatment was frequently required.
Schwartz
David A
DA
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA.
Loftus
Edward V
EV
Tremaine
William J
WJ
Panaccione
Remo
R
Harmsen
W Scott
WS
Zinsmeister
Alan R
AR
Sandborn
William J
WJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D017577:Cutaneous Fistula / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D016154:Digestive System Fistula / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008910:Minnesota / Q000453:epidemiology; D012003:Rectal Fistula / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D012006:Rectovaginal Fistula / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome