Outcome of medical treatment of stricturing and penetrating Crohn's disease: a retrospective study.
BACKGROUND
Outcomes of medical treatment in patients with stricturing and penetrating Crohn's disease (CD) are not well characterized.


METHODS
Adults with stricturing and penetrating CD who underwent medical treatment from 2004 to 2008 were evaluated. We assessed response rates to medical treatment, time to relapse or surgery, and postoperative complications.


RESULTS
In all, 53 patients underwent medical therapy. 60% had stricturing disease, 11% had penetrating, and 28% had both. Disease location was ileal in 38%, colonic in 2%, and ileocolonic in 60%. At 30, 60, and 90 days, 54%, 60%, and 64% experienced a response to medical therapy, respectively. At 30 days, 75% of patients with ileal CD responded to therapy compared to 38% of patients with ileocolonic CD (P = 0.026). Overall, 64% of patients required surgery. Patients with ileocolonic disease required surgery at 0.55 years versus 1.07 years in patients with ileal disease (P = 0.023). 24% of patients experienced an anastomotic leak, fistula, or abscess (IASC). 29% of patients with penetrating disease developed IASC compared to 6% of patients with stricturing disease (P = 0.047). 32% of patients on biologic therapy had IASC compared to 0% of those not on biologics (P = 0.059).


CONCLUSIONS
The outcomes of medical treatment of stricturing or penetrating CD are poor, as 64% ultimately require surgery. Important factors that seem to be associated with either failed therapy include ileocolonic or colonic disease location. We report a high rate of IASC, especially in patients with penetrating disease and those treated with biologic therapy. This should be considered prior to attempted medical therapy.
Samimi
Roxana
R
Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Flasar
Mark H
MH
Kavic
Stephen
S
Tracy
Kathleen
K
Cross
Raymond K
RK
D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019819:Budesonide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D010641:Phenotype; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D019819:Budesonide; D011241:Prednisone