ECCO Guidelines on Therapeutics in Crohn's Disease: Surgical Treatment

This article is the second in a series of two publications relating to the European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation [ECCO] evidence-based consensus on the management of Crohn's disease. The first article covers medical management; the present article addresses surgical management, including preoperative aspects and drug management before surgery. It also provides technical advice for a variety of common clinical situations. Both articles together represent the evidence-based recommendations of the ECCO for Crohn's disease and an update of previous guidelines.

Incidence and Treatment of Patients Diagnosed With Inflammatory Bowel Diseases at 60 Years or Older in Sweden

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Diagnosis of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) is increasing among elderly persons (60 years or older). We performed a nationwide population-based study to estimate incidence and treatment of IBD.

METHODS

We identified all incident IBD cases in Sweden from 2006 through 2013 using national registers and up to 10 matched population comparator subjects. We collected data on the patients' health care contacts and estimated incidence rates, health service burden, pharmacologic treatments, extra-intestinal manifestations, and surgeries in relation to age of IBD onset (pediatric, <18 years; adults, 18-59 years; elderly, ≥60 years).

RESULTS

Of 27,834 persons diagnosed with incident IBD, 6443 (23%) had a first diagnosis of IBD at 60 years or older, corresponding to an incidence rate of 35/100,000 person-years (10/100,000 person-years for Crohn's disease, 19/100,000 person-years for ulcerative colitis, and 5/100,000 person-years for IBD unclassified). During a median follow-up period of 4.2 years (range, 0-9 years), elderly patients had less IBD-specific outpatient health care but more IBD-related hospitalizations and overall health care use than adult patients with IBD. Compared with patients with pediatric or adult-onset IBD, elderly patients used fewer biologics and immunomodulators but more systemic corticosteroids. Occurrence of extra-intestinal manifestations was similar in elderly and adult patients, but bowel surgery was more common in the elderly (13% after 5 years vs 10% in adults) (P < .001). The absolute risk of bowel surgery was higher in the elderly than in the general population, but in relative terms, the risk increase was larger in younger age groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In a nationwide cohort study in Sweden, we associated diagnosis of IBD at age 60 years or older with a lower use of biologics and immunomodulators but higher absolute risk of bowel surgery, compared with diagnosis at a younger age. The large differences in pharmacologic treatment of adults and elderly patients are not necessarily because of a milder course of disease and warrant further investigation.

Validating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in the Swedish National Patient Register and the Swedish Quality Register for IBD (SWIBREG)

BACKGROUND

Both the Swedish National Patient Register (NPR) and the Swedish Quality Register for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD, SWIBREG) are important sources of research data and information. However, the validity of a diagnosis of IBD in these registers is unknown.

METHODS

Medical charts of 129 randomly selected patients from the NPR and 165 patients registered both in SWIBREG and the NPR were reviewed. Patients were classified according to standardized criteria for ulcerative colitis (UC), Crohn's disease (CD), or IBD unclassified (IBD-U). Positive predictive values (PPVs) for UC, CD, IBD-U (only SWIBREG), or having any form of IBD were then calculated.

RESULTS

For cases with ≥2 diagnoses of IBD in the NPR (hospitalizations or non-primary care outpatient visits), the PPV was 93% (95% CI: 87-97) for any IBD, 79% (66-88) for UC and 72% (60-82) for CD. In UC patients with ≥2 UC diagnoses but never a CD diagnosis, the PPV increased to 90% (77-97). The PPV for CD in patients with ≥2 CD diagnoses but never a UC diagnosis was 81% (67-91)). Combining data from SWIBREG (≥1 record) and the NPR (≥1 record), the PPV was 99% for any IBD (97-100), 96% (89-99) for UC, and 90% (82-96) for CD.

CONCLUSION

The validity of the UC, CD, and IBD diagnoses is high in the NPR but even higher when cases were identified both in SWIBREG and the NPR. These results underline the need for a well-functioning Swedish Quality Register for IBD as a complement to the NPR.

Colorectal cancer in inflammatory bowel disease: results of the 3rd ECCO pathogenesis scientific workshop (I)

Epidemiological studies demonstrate an increased risk of colorectal cancer in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). A detailed literature review was conducted on epidemiology, risk factors, pathophysiology, chemoprevention and outcomes of colorectal cancer (CRC) in IBD as part of the 3rd ECCO scientific pathogenesis workshop.

Long-term effectiveness of vedolizumab in inflammatory bowel disease: a national study based on the Swedish National Quality Registry for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (SWIBREG)

OBJECTIVES

Clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy of vedolizumab in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, these findings may not reflect the clinical practice. Therefore, we aimed to describe a vedolizumab-treated patient population and assess long-term effectiveness.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients initiating vedolizumab between 1 June 2014 and 30 May 2015 were identified through the Swedish National Quality Registry for IBD. Prospectively collected data on treatment and disease activity were extracted. Clinical remission was defined as Patient Harvey Bradshaw index <5 in Crohn's disease (CD) and Patient Simple Clinical Colitis Activity index <3 in ulcerative colitis (UC).

RESULTS

Two-hundred forty-six patients (147 CD, 92 UC and 7 IBD-Unclassified) were included. On study entry, 86% had failed TNF-antagonist and 48% of the CD patients had undergone ≥1 surgical resection. After a median follow-up of 17 (IQR: 14-20) months, 142 (58%) patients remained on vedolizumab. In total, 54% of the CD- and 64% of the UC patients were in clinical remission at the end of follow-up, with the clinical activity decreasing (p < .0001 in both groups). Faecal-calprotectin decreased in CD (p < .0001) and in UC (p = .001), whereas CRP decreased in CD (p = .002) but not in UC (p = .11). Previous anti-TNF exposure (adjusted HR: 4.03; 95% CI: 0.96-16.75) and elevated CRP at baseline (adjusted HR: 2.22; 95% CI: 1.10-4.35) seemed to be associated with discontinuation because of lack of response. Female sex was associated with termination because of intolerance (adjusted HR: 2.75; 95% CI: 1.16-6.48).

CONCLUSION

Vedolizumab-treated patients represent a treatment-refractory group. A long-term effect can be achieved, even beyond 1 year of treatment.

Anal and rectal cancer in Crohn's disease

Several epidemiological studies have been published regarding the risk of Crohn's disease- associated colorectal cancer. The findings are, however, contradictory and it has been particularly difficult to obtain indisputable information on the incidence of cancer limited to the rectum and the anus. During 1987-2000 rectal or anal cancer was diagnosed in 335 patients in Sweden (153 males, 182 females). In other words, approximately 3 Crohn patients per million inhabitants were diagnosed with rectal or anal cancer every year during that time period which is 1% of the total number of cases. At diagnosis of cancer 36% were aged below 50 years and 58% below 60 years. Corresponding figures for all cases of anal and rectal cancer were 5% and 18%, respectively. Present knowledge from the literature implies that there is an increased risk of rectal and anal cancer only in Crohn's disease patients with severe proctitis or severe chronic perianal disease. However, the rectal remnant must also be considered a risk factor. Multimodal treatment is similar to that in sporadic cancer but proctectomy and total or partial colectomy is added depending on the extent of the Crohn's disease. The outcome is the same as in sporadic cancer at a corresponding stage but the prognosis is often poor due to the advanced stage of cancer at diagnosis. We suggest that six high-risk groups should be recommended annual surveillance after a duration of Crohn's disease of 15 years including extensive colitis, chronic severe anorectal disease, rectal remnant, strictures, bypassed segments and sclerosing cholangitis.

Randomized clinical trial of groin hernia repair with titanium-coated lightweight mesh compared with standard polypropylene mesh

BACKGROUND

Groin hernia repair is one of the commonest operations in general surgery. Existing techniques have very low and acceptable recurrence rates, but chronic pain and discomfort remain a problem for many patients. New mesh materials are being developed to increase biocompatibility, and the aim of this study was to compare a new titanium-coated lightweight mesh with a standard polypropylene mesh.

METHODS

A randomized controlled single-centre clinical trial was designed, with the basic principle of one unit, one surgeon, one technique (Lichtenstein under general anaesthesia) and two meshes. Pain before and after surgery, and during convalescence (primary outcomes) was estimated in 317 patients. At 1-year clinical follow-up, recurrence, pain, discomfort and quality of life (secondary outcomes) were evaluated.

RESULTS

Patients with the lightweight mesh returned to work after 4 days, compared with 6.5 days for the standard mesh (P = 0.040). The lightweight group returned to normal activity after 7 days, versus 10 days for the standard group (P = 0.005). There was no difference in postoperative pain or recurrence at the 1-year follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Patients with the lightweight mesh had a shorter convalescence than those with the standard heavyweight mesh.

REGISTRATION NUMBER

ISRCTN36979348 (http://www.controlled-trials.com).

Complications in surgery for Crohn's disease after preoperative antitumour necrosis factor therapy

BACKGROUND

The use of biological therapy (biologicals) is established in the treatment of Crohn's disease. This study aimed to determine whether preoperative treatment with biologicals is associated with an increased rate of complications following surgery for Crohn's disease with intestinal anastomosis.

METHODS

All patients receiving biologicals and undergoing abdominal surgery with anastomosis or strictureplasty were identified at six tertiary referral centres. Demographic data, and preoperative, operative and postoperative details were registered. Patients who were treated with biologicals within 2 months before surgery were compared with a control group who were not. Postoperative complications were classified according to anastomotic, infectious or other complications, and graded according to the Clavien-Dindo classification.

RESULTS

Some 111 patients treated with biologicals within 2 months before surgery were compared with 187 patients in the control group. The groups were well matched. There were no differences between the treatment and control groups in the rate of complications of any type (34·2 versus 28·9 per cent respectively; P = 0·402), anastomotic complications (7·2 versus 8·0 per cent; P = 0·976) and non-anastomotic infectious complications (16·2 versus 13·9 per cent; P = 0·586). In univariable regression analysis, biologicals were not associated with an increased risk of any complication (odds ratio (OR) 1·33, 95 per cent confidence interval 0·81 to 2·20), anastomotic complication (OR 0·89, 0·37 to 2·17) or infectious complication (OR 1·09, 0·62 to 1·91).

CONCLUSION

Treatment with biologicals within 2 months of surgery for Crohn's disease with intestinal anastomosis was not associated with an increased risk of complications.

Risk of Rectal Cancer After Colectomy for Patients With Ulcerative Colitis: A National Cohort Study

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) have an increased risk of rectal cancer, therefore reconstruction with an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) generally is preferred to an ileorectal anastomosis (IRA) after subtotal colectomy. Similarly, completion proctectomy is recommended for patients with ileostomy and a diverted rectum, although this approach has been questioned because anti-inflammatory agents might reduce cancer risk. We performed a national cohort study in Sweden to assess the risk of rectal cancer in patients with UC who have an IRA, IPAA, or diverted rectum after subtotal colectomy.

METHODS

We collected data from the Swedish National Patient Register for a cohort of 5886 patients with UC who underwent subtotal colectomy with an IRA, IPAA, or diverted rectum from 1964 through 2010. Patients who developed rectal cancer were identified from the Swedish National Cancer Register. The risk of rectal cancer was compared between this cohort and the general population by standardized incidence ratio analysis.

RESULTS

Rectal cancer occurred in 20 of 1112 patients (1.8%) who received IRA, 1 of 1796 patients (0.06%) who received an IPAA, and 25 of 4358 patients (0.6%) with a diverted rectum. Standardized incidence ratios for rectal cancer were 8.7 in patients with an IRA, 0.4 in patients with an IPAA, and 3.8 in patients with a diverted rectum. Risk factors for rectal cancer were primary sclerosing cholangitis in patients with an IRA (hazard ratio, 6.12), and colonic severe dysplasia or cancer before subtotal colectomy in patients with a diverted rectum (hazard ratio, 3.67).

CONCLUSIONS

In an analysis of the Swedish National Patient Register, we found that the risk for rectal cancer after colectomy in patients with UC is low, in relative and absolute terms, after reconstruction with an IPAA. An IRA and diverted rectum are associated with an increased risk of rectal cancer, compared with the general population, but the absolute risk is low. Patients and their health care providers should consider these findings in making decisions to leave the rectum intact, perform completion proctectomy, or reconstruct the colon with an IRA or IPAA.

Ileorectal anastomosis in comparison with ileal pouch anal anastomosis in reconstructive surgery for ulcerative colitis--a single institution experience

INTRODUCTION

Ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA) is the standard procedure for reconstruction after colectomy for ulcerative colitis (UC). However, ileorectal anastomosis (IRA) as an alternative has, recently experienced a revival. This study from a single center compares the clinical outcomes of these procedures.

METHODS

From 1992 to 2006, 253 patients consecutively underwent either IRA (n=105) or IPAA (n=148). Selection to either procedure was determined on the basis of rectal inflammation, presence of dysplasia/cancer or patient preferences. Patient-records were retrospectively evaluated. Mean follow-up time was 5.4 and 6.3 years respectively.

RESULTS

Major postoperative complications occurred in 12.4% of patients after IRA and in 12.8% after IPAA (ns). Complications of any kind after IRA or IPAA, even including subsequent stoma-closure, occurred in 23.8% and 39.9% respectively (p<0.01). Estimated cumulative failure rates after 5 and 10 years were 10.1% and 24.1% for IRA and 6.1% and 18.6% for IPAA respectively (ns). The most common cause for failure was intractable proctitis (4.8%) and unspecified dysfunction (4.8%) respectively. At follow-up 76.9% of patients with IRA had proctitis and 34.1% with IPAA had pouchitis. Estimated cumulative cancer-risk after 10, 20 and 25 year duration of disease was 0.0%, 2.1% and 8.7% for IRA. Figures for IPAA were 0.7%, 1.8% and 1.8% (ns).

CONCLUSION

Failure-rates did not significantly differ between patients operated with IRA or IPAA. Patients operated with IPAA had a higher cumulative number of postoperative complications. The high long-term cancer-risk after IRA indicates that this procedure should be an interim solution in younger patients.

Health related quality of life in Crohn's proctocolitis does not differ from a general population when in remission

OBJECTIVE

All treatment in Crohn's disease, although palliative, aims at restoring full health. The objective of this study was to compare health-related quality of life and psychosocial conditions in patients with Crohn's proctocolitis with a general population.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

One hundred and twenty-seven patients with Crohn's proctocolitis (median age 44 years, 44.1% men) were compared with 266 controls (median age 45 years, 50.7% men). A questionnaire consisting of the Short Form-36 (SF-36), the Psychological General Well-Being Index (PGWB) and a visual analogue scale (VAS) evaluating general health as well as questions regarding psychosocial conditions was used. Disease activity was evaluated by Best's modification of the classical Crohn's Disease Activity Index.

RESULTS

Patients in remission had a health related quality of life similar to controls according to the SF-36 apart from general health where scores were lower (P < 0.01). Patients with active disease scored lower in all aspects of the SF-36 (P < 0.001 or P < 0.0001) as well as the PGWB (P < 0.0001). In a model for multiple regression including age, gender, concomitant small bowel disease, permanent stoma, previous colonic surgery, disease activity, duration, and aggressiveness, disease activity was the only variable negatively predicting all 8 domains of the SF-36 in the patient group (P < 0.001). The mean annual sick-leave for patients and controls were 33.9 and 9.5 days (P < 0.0001), respectively. Sixty-eight percent of the patients and 78.4% of the controls (P = 0.04) were married or cohabited, 67.7% and 78.0% (P = 0.04), respectively, had children.

CONCLUSION

The health related quality of life for patients with Crohn's proctocolitis in remission does not differ from the general population. The disease has, however, a negative impact on parenthood, family life and professional performance.

Decrease in primary but not in secondary abdominal surgery for Crohn's disease: nationwide cohort study, 1990–2014

Background

Treatment of patients with Crohn's disease has evolved in recent decades, with increasing use of immunomodulatory medication since 1990 and biologicals since 1998. In parallel, there has been increased use of active disease monitoring. To what extent these changes have influenced the incidence of primary and repeat surgical resection remains debated.

Methods

In this nationwide cohort study, incident patients of all ages with Crohn's disease, identified in Swedish National Patient Registry between 1990 and 2014, were divided into five calendar periods of diagnosis: 1990–1995 and 1996–2000 with use of inpatient registries, 2001, and 2002–2008 and 2009–2014 with use of inpatient and outpatient registries. The cumulative incidence of first and repeat abdominal surgery (except closure of stomas), by category of surgical procedure, was estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method.

Results

Among 21 273 patients with Crohn's disease, the cumulative incidence of first abdominal surgery within 5 years of Crohn's disease diagnosis decreased continuously from 54·8 per cent in 1990–1995 to 40·4 per cent in 1996–2000 (P &lt; 0·001), and again from 19·8 per cent in 2002–2008 to 17·3 per cent in 2009–2014 (P &lt; 0·001). Repeat 5-year surgery rates decreased from 18·9 per cent in 1990–1995 to 16·0 per cent in 1996–2000 (P = 0·009). After 2000, no further significant decreases were observed.

Conclusion

The 5-year rate of surgical intervention for Crohn's disease has decreased significantly, but the rate of repeat surgery has remained stable despite the introduction of biological therapy.

Changes in inflammatory bowel disease subtype during follow-up and over time in 44,302 patients

AIM

To investigate inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) register-based subtype classifications over a patient's disease course and over time.

METHODS

We examined International Classification of Diseases coding in patients with ≥2 IBD diagnostic listings in the National Patient Register 2002-2014 (n = 44,302).

RESULTS

18% of the patients changed diagnosis (17% of adults, 29% of children) during a median follow-up of 3.8 years. Of visits with diagnoses of Crohn's disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC), 97% were followed by the same diagnosis, whereas 67% of visits with diagnosis IBD-unclassified (IBD-U) were followed by another IBD-U diagnosis. Patients with any diagnostic change changed mostly once (47%) or twice (31%), 39% from UC to CD, 33% from CD to UC and 30% to or from IBD-U. Using a classification algorithm based on the first two diagnoses ('incident classification'), suited for prospective cohort studies, the proportion adult patients with CD, UC, and IBD-U 2002-2014 were 29%, 62%, and 10% (43%, 45%, and 12% in children). A classification model incorporating additional information from surgeries and giving weight to the last 5 years of visits ('prevalent classification'), suited for description of a study population at end of follow-up, classified 31% of adult cases as CD, 58% as UC and 11% as IBD-U (44%, 38%, and 18% in children).

CONCLUSIONS

IBD subtype changed in 18% during follow-up. The proportion with CD increased and UC decreased from definition at start to end of follow-up. IBD-U was more common in children.

Healthcare use, work loss and total costs in incident and prevalent Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis: results from a nationwide study in Sweden

BACKGROUND

There are limited data on population-wide assessment of cost in Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC).

AIM

To estimate the societal cost of actively treated CD and UC in Sweden.

METHODS

We identified 10 117 prevalent CD and 19 762 prevalent UC patients, aged ≥18 years on 1 January 2014 and 4028 adult incident CD cases and 8659 adult incident UC cases (2010-2013) from Swedish Patient Register. Each case was matched to five population comparators. Healthcare costs were calculated from medications, outpatient visits, hospitalisations and surgery. Cost of productivity losses was derived from disability pension and sick leave.

RESULTS

The mean annual societal costs per working-age patient (18-64 years) with CD and UC were $22 813 (vs $7533 per comparator) and $14 136 (vs $7351 per comparator), respectively. In patients aged ≥65 years, the mean annual costs of CD and UC were $9726 and $8072 vs $3875 and $4016 per comparator, respectively. The majority of cost for both CD (56%) and UC (59%) patients originated from productivity losses. Higher societal cost of working-age CD patients as compared to UC patients was related to greater utilisation of anti-TNF (22.2% vs 7.4%) and increased annual disability pension (44 days vs 25 days). Among incident CD and UC patients, the mean total cost over the first year per patient was over three times higher than comparators.

CONCLUSION

In Sweden, the societal cost of incident and prevalent CD and UC patients was consistently two to three times higher than the general population.

Surgical and not analgesic technique affects postoperative inflammation following colorectal cancer surgery: a prospective, randomized study

AIM

Epidural analgesia reduces the surgical stress response. However, its effect on pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the genesis of inflammation following major abdominal surgery remains unclear. Our main objective was to elucidate whether perioperative epidural analgesia prevents the inflammatory response following colorectal cancer surgery.

METHODS

Ninety-six patients scheduled for open or laparoscopic surgery were randomized to epidural analgesia (group E) or patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (group P). Surgery and anaesthesia were standardized in both groups. Plasma cortisol, insulin and serum cytokines [interleukin 1β (IL-1β), IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-13, tumour necrosis factor α, interferon γ, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, prostaglandin E₂ and vascular endothelial growth factor] were measured preoperatively (T0), 1-6 h postoperatively (T1) and 3-5 days postoperatively (T2). Mixed model analysis was used, after logarithmic transformation when appropriate, for analyses of cytokines and stress markers.

RESULTS

>There were no significant differences in any serum cytokine concentration between groups P and E at any time point except for IL-10 which was 87% higher in group P [median and range 4.1 (2.3-9.2) pg/ml] compared to group E [2.6 (1.3-4.7) pg/ml] (P = 0.002) at T1. There was no difference in plasma cortisol and insulin between the groups at any time point after surgery. A significant difference in median serum cytokine concentration was found between open and laparoscopic surgery with higher levels of IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10 at T1 in patients undergoing open surgery compared to laparoscopic surgery. No difference in serum cytokine concentration was detected between the groups or between the surgical technique at T2.

CONCLUSIONS

Open surgery, compared to laparoscopic surgery, has greater impact on these inflammatory mediators than epidural analgesia vs intravenous analgesia.

Colectomy prior to diagnosis of primary sclerosing cholangitis is associated with improved prognosis in a nationwide cohort study of 2594 PSC-IBD patients

BACKGROUND

Despite the close relationship between primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the association between colectomy and the prognosis of PSC remains controversial.

AIM

To explore whether colectomy prior to PSC-diagnosis is associated with transplant-free survival.

METHODS

A nationwide cohort study in Sweden including all patients aged 18 to 69 years in whom both PSC and IBD was diagnosed between 1987 and 2014 was undertaken. Each patient was followed from date of both PSC and IBD diagnoses until liver transplantation or death, or 31 December 2014. Patients with colon in situ, and colectomy prior to PSC-diagnosis were compared. Survival analyses were performed using the Kaplan-Meier method and multivariable Cox regression models.

RESULTS

Of the 2594 PSC-IBD patients, 205 patients were treated with colectomy before PSC-diagnosis. During follow-up, liver transplantations were performed in 327 patients and 509 died. The risk of liver transplantation or death was lower in patients treated with colectomy prior to PSC-diagnosis (HR 0.71, 95% CI 0.53-0.95) than in patients with colon in situ. Male gender, longer time between IBD and PSC-diagnosis and older age were all associated with an increased risk of liver transplantation or death. Colectomy after PSC-diagnosis was however not associated with an increased risk of liver transplantation or death during long-term follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

In PSC-IBD patients, colectomy prior to PSC-diagnosis is associated with a decreased risk of liver transplantation or death.

Split stoma in resectional surgery of high-risk patients with ileocolonic Crohn's disease

AIM

The aim of this retrospective study of ileocolonic resection in patients with Crohn's disease was to compare the outcome of primary anastomosis with that of split stoma and delayed anastomosis in a high-risk setting.

METHOD

From 1995 to 2006, 132 patients had 146 operations for ileocolonic Crohn's disease. Preoperative data, including risk factors for complications, were obtained from a prospectively registered database. Operations on patients who had two or more preoperative risk factors (n = 76) were considered to be high-risk operations and formed the main study. Primary outcome variables were postoperative anastomotic complications and the alteration in the number of preoperative risk factors achieved by a delayed anastomosis. Secondary outcome was time in hospital and the number of operations performed.

RESULTS

Early anastomotic complications were diagnosed in 19% (11/57) of patients receiving a primary anastomosis compared with 0% (0/19) of patients after a delayed anastomosis (P = 0.038). The mean number of risk factors in the split stoma group was 3.5 at the time of resection and 0.2 when the split stoma was reversed (P < 0.0001). The total number of operations was 1.9 ± 1.5 (mean ± SD) after a primary anastomosis and 2.0 ± 0.2 after a split stoma (P = 0.70). Total in-hospital time for all operations was 20.9 ± 35.6 days after a primary anastomosis and 17.8 ± 10.4 days after a delayed anastomosis (P = 0.74).

CONCLUSION

Delayed anastomosis after ileocolonic resection in high-risk Crohn's disease patients was associated with a reduction in the number of preoperative risk factors and fewer anastomotic complications. Hospital stay and number of operations were similar after delayed and primary anastomosis in high-risk patients.

The use of ICD codes to identify IBD subtypes and phenotypes of the Montreal classification in the Swedish National Patient Register

Introduction: Whether data on International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-codes from the Swedish National Patient Register (NPR) correctly correspond to subtypes of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and phenotypes of the Montreal classification scheme among patients with prevalent disease is unknown.Materials and methods: We obtained information on IBD subtypes and phenotypes from the medical records of 1403 patients with known IBD who underwent biological treatment at ten Swedish hospitals and retrieved information on their IBD-associated diagnostic codes from the NPR. We used previously described algorithms to define IBD subtypes and phenotypes. Finally, we compared these register-generated subtypes and phenotypes with the corresponding information from the medical records and calculated positive predictive values (PPV) with 95% confidence intervals.Results: Among patients with clinically confirmed disease and diagnostic listings of IBD in the NPR (N = 1401), the PPV was 97 (96-99)% for Crohn's disease, 98 (97-100)% for ulcerative colitis, and 8 (4-11)% for IBD-unclassified. The overall accuracy for age at diagnosis was 95% (when defined as A1, A2, or A3). Examining the validity of codes representing disease phenotype, the PPV was 36 (32-40)% for colonic Crohn's disease (L2), 61 (56-65)% for non-stricturing/non-penetrating Crohn's disease behaviour (B1) and 83 (78-87)% for perianal disease. Correspondingly, the PPV was 80 (71-89)% for proctitis (E1)/left-sided colitis (E2) in ulcerative colitis.Conclusions: Among people with known IBD, the NPR is a reliable source of data to classify most subtypes of prevalent IBD, even though misclassification commonly occurred in Crohn's disease location and behaviour and also among IBD-unclassified patients.

Swedish Inflammatory Bowel Disease Register (SWIBREG) - a nationwide quality register

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic, inflammatory relapsing disease with increasing incidence. IBD research and long-term follow-up of patients have, however, been hampered by lack of detailed data on disease phenotype, patient-reported outcome measures, Physician Global Assessment, disease activity, and hospital-administered drugs. Aim: To review the Swedish IBD quality register (SWIBREG). Methods: Review of SWIBREG including questionnaire data from users and patients. Results: SWIBREG was launched in 2005, and as of April 2019, contains 46,400 patients with IBD (Crohn's disease: n = 15,705, ulcerative colitis: n = 21,540, IBD unclassified and other colitis (including e.g., microscopic colitis): n = 9155). Of these IBD patients, 7778 had been diagnosed in childhood (16.8%). Earlier research has shown that combining SWIBREG and the Swedish National Patient Register (NPR) yields a positive predictive value of 100% (95%CI = 95-100%) for having a diagnosis of IBD. Moreover, out of all patients in the NPR with a diagnosis of IBD plus either IBD-related surgery or immunomodulatory/biological treatment during the past 18 months, SWIBREG covers 59.0%. SWIBREG records not only information on conventional therapies but also on biological treatment, surgery, smoking, disease activity, patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), and patient-experienced measures (PREMs). Data are presented through a graphical decision support system. Conclusion: SWIBREG benefits patients with IBD, and offers an ideal opportunity for healthcare personnel and researchers to examine disease phenotype and activity, PROMs/PREMs, and hospital-administered drugs in patients with IBD.

A reappraisal of the ileo-rectal anastomosis in ulcerative colitis

Colectomy is still frequently required in the care of ulcerative colitis. The most common indications are either non-responding colitis in the emergency setting, chronic active disease, steroid-dependent disease or neoplastic change like dysplasia or cancer. The use of the ileal pouch anal anastomosis has internationally been the gold standard, substituting the rectum with a pouch. Recently the use of the ileorectal anastomosis has increased in frequency as reconstructive method after subtotal colectomy. Data from centres using ileorectal anastomosis have shown the method to be safe, with functionality and risk of failure comparable to the ileal pouch anal anastomosis. The methods have different advantages as well as disadvantages, depending on a number of patient factors and where in life the patient is at time of reconstruction. The ileorectal anastomosis could, together with the Kock continent ileostomy, in selected cases be a complement to the ileal pouch anal anastomosis in ulcerative colitis and should be discussed with the patient before deciding on reconstructive method.

Comparison between epidural and intravenous analgesia effects on disease-free survival after colorectal cancer surgery: a randomised multicentre controlled trial

Background

Thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) has been suggested to improve survival after curative surgery for colorectal cancer compared with systemic opioid analgesia. The evidence, exclusively based on retrospective studies, is contradictory.

Methods

In this prospective, multicentre study, patients scheduled for elective colorectal cancer surgery between June 2011 and May 2017 were randomised to TEA or patient-controlled i.v. analgesia (PCA) with morphine. The primary endpoint was disease-free survival at 5 yr after surgery. Secondary outcomes were postoperative pain, complications, length of stay (LOS) at the hospital, and first return to intended oncologic therapy (RIOT).

Results

We enrolled 221 (110 TEA and 111 PCA) patients in the study, and 180 (89 TEA and 91 PCA) were included in the primary outcome. Disease-free survival at 5 yr was 76% in the TEA group and 69% in the PCA group; unadjusted hazard ratio (HR): 1.31 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.74–2.32), P=0.35; adjusted HR: 1.19 (95% CI: 0.61–2.31), P=0.61. Patients in the TEA group had significantly better pain relief during the first 24 h, but not thereafter, in open and minimally invasive procedures. There were no differences in postoperative complications, LOS, or RIOT between the groups.

Conclusions

There was no significant difference between the TEA and PCA groups in disease-free survival at 5 yr in patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer. Other than a reduction in postoperative pain during the first 24 h after surgery, no other differences were found between TEA compared with i.v. PCA with morphine.

Anti-TNF treatment in Crohn's disease and risk of bowel resection-a population based cohort study

BACKGROUND

TNF inhibitors (TNFi) have been shown to reduce the need for surgery in Crohn's disease, but few studies have examined their effect beyond the first year of treatment.

AIM

To conduct a register-based observational cohort study in Sweden 2006-2014 to investigate the risk of bowel resection in bowel surgery naïve TNFi-treated Crohn's disease patients and whether patients on TNFi ≥12 months are less likely to undergo bowel resection than patients discontinuing treatment before 12 months.

METHODS

We identified all individuals in Sweden with Crohn's disease through the Swedish National Patient Register 1987-2014 and evaluated the incidence of bowel resection after first ever dispensation of adalimumab or infliximab from 2006 and up to 7 years follow-up.

RESULTS

We identified 1856 Crohn's disease patients who had received TNFi. Among these patients, 90% treatment retention was observed at 6 months after start of TNFi and 65% remained on the drug after 12 months. The cumulative rates of surgery in Crohn's disease patients exposed to TNFi years 1-7 were 7%, 13%, 17%, 20%, 23%, 25% and 28%. Rates of bowel resection were similar between patients with TNFi survival <12 months and ≥12 months respectively (P=.27). No predictors (eg, sex, age, extension or duration of disease) for bowel resection were identified.

CONCLUSIONS

The risk of bowel resection after start of anti-TNF treatment is higher in regular health care than in published RCTs. Patients on sustained TNFi treatment beyond 12 months have bowel resection rates similar to those who discontinue TNFi treatment earlier.