Preoperative Endoscopic Activity Predicts the Occurrence of Pouchitis After Ileal Pouch-Anal Anastomosis in Ulcerative Colitis: A Multicenter Retrospective Study in China

Surgical Options for Appropriate Length of J-Pouch Construction for Better Outcomes and Long-term Quality of Life in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis after Ileal Pouch-Anal Anastomosis

Background/Aims

Total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) is widely accepted as a radical surgery for refractory ulcerative colitis (UC). Definite results on the appropriate pouch length for an evaluation of the risk-to-benefit ratio regarding technical complications and long-term quality of life (QOL) are still scarce.

Methods

Data on UC patients who underwent IPAA from 2008 to 2022 in four well-established pouch centers affiliated to China UC Pouch Center Union were collected.

Results

A total of 208 patients with a median follow-up time of 6.0 years (interquartile range, 2.3 to 9.0 years) were enrolled. The median lengths of the patients' short and long pouches were 14.0 cm (interquartile range, 14.0 to 15.0 cm) and 22.0 cm (interquartile range, 20.0 to 24.0 cm), respectively. Patients with a short J pouch configuration were less likely to achieve significantly improved long-term QOL (p=0.015) and were prone to develop late postoperative complications (p=0.042), such as increased defecation frequency (p=0.003) and pouchitis (p=0.035). A short ileal pouch was an independent risk factor for the development of late postoperative complications (odds ratio, 3.100; 95% confidence interval, 1.519 to 6.329; p=0.002) and impaired longterm QOL improvement (odds ratio, 2.221; 95% confidence interval, 1.218 to 4.050, p=0.009).

Conclusions

The length of the J pouch was associated with the improvement in long-term QOL and the development of late post-IPAA complications. A long J pouch configuration could be a considerable surgical option for pouch construction.

Risk Factors and Quality of Life in Patients with Diffuse Pouchitis After Ileal Pouch Anal Anastomosis According to the Chicago Classification for J Pouch: a Retrospective Multicenter Cohort Study in China

BACKGROUND

Pouchitis is a common late complication in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) who undergo ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA). The heterogeneous nature of the clinical and endoscopic presentations could affect the evaluation of therapeutic interventions for pouchitis. Thus, identifying the risk factors and clinical outcomes of pouch inflammation at different sites and severity is becoming increasingly important for colorectal surgeons.

METHODS

Data on patients who underwent IPAA January from 2008 to June 2022 in our three pouch centers affiliated with the China UC Pouch Center Union were retrospectively collected. Pouchitis was categorized as a different phenotype according to the Chicago Classification. J pouches were classified into short (14 ± 2 cm) and long pouches (22 ± 2 cm) according to the distribution of ileal pouch length in our institute.

RESULTS

Altogether, 143 patients with a median follow-up time of 5.0 years (interquartile range: 2.0-8.0) were enrolled. Among them, 41 patients (28.7%) developed pouchitis and 32 patients (78%) had diffuse inflammation of the pouch. Patients with diffuse pouchitis had a higher pouchitis disease activity index and more seriously impaired improvement of long-term quality of life than those with pouch phenotypes. A short J pouch, recurrent UC, and preoperative high white blood cell count were independent risk factors for diffuse pouchitis. Furthermore, a short J pouch could effectively predict the occurrence of diffuse pouchitis with an area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve of 0.614, a sensitivity of 62.5%, and a specificity of 60.4% (p = 0.049) and significantly decreased the overall diffuse pouchitis-free survival compared to a long J pouch (p = 0.0002).

CONCLUSION

Diffuse pouchitis is a common phenotype of pouchitis that seriously impairs long-term prognosis. For colorectal surgeons, decision-making regarding pouch construction with an appropriate length should be considered to prevent the development of diffuse pouchitis.

The endoscopic prediction model of simple endoscopic score for Crohn’s disease (SES-CD) as an effective predictor of intestinal obstruction in Crohn’s disease: A multicenter long-term follow-up study

Background

The simple endoscopic score for Crohn's disease (SES-CD) is a widely used index to evaluate clinical and endoscopic activity. However, the association and predictive value of SES-CD for intestinal obstruction in Crohn's disease (CD) remains unclear. We aimed to establish the best cut-off indicators of SES-CD for early clinical intervention and subsequent prevention of intestinal obstruction in CD.

Methods

Data on patients with CD evaluated at our institute from January 2016 to January 2022 were retrospectively collected. The SES-CD and Crohn's Disease Activity Index scores used in the analysis indicated the results of the first clinical and colonoscopy evaluations after hospitalization. The primary outcome was the occurrence of intestinal obstruction during admission and follow-up.

Results

A total of 248 patients with a median follow-up time of 2 years [interquartile range: 1.0–4.0] were enrolled, of which 28.2% developed intestinal obstruction. An SES-CD score of 8 was the most significant threshold evaluation, and SES-CD ≥8 had the largest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (0.705), with a sensitivity of 52.9% and specificity of 88.2% in predicting intestinal obstruction. Furthermore, SES-CD ≥8 had the greatest risk factor for intestinal obstruction (odds ratio: 7.731; 95% confidence interval: 3.901–15.322; p < 0.001) and significantly decreased the overall intestinal obstruction-free survival (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The SES-CD endoscopic prediction model could be an effective predictor of intestinal obstruction in patients with CD. More frequent follow-up and colonoscopic surveillance should be considered in patients with SES-CD score ≥8 to prevent the development of intestinal obstruction.