Collagenous colitis without diarrhoea at diagnosis - a follow up study.

OBJECTIVE: Chronic watery diarrhoea is a classical symptom of collagenous colitis (CC). However, in some cases, the typical histologic findings of CC can be found in patients without this symptom. In this study we have performed a follow up on patients with a confirmed histological diagnosis of CC without the typical symptom watery diarrhoea. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A structured medical record follow-up was performed on the subgroup of patients without watery diarrhoea but diagnosed with the typical CC histologic appearance in a previous study of microscopic colitis. RESULTS: At follow up after a median time of 8 years (range: 0.33-12 years), five of these fifteen patients developed bowel symptoms but only two developed characteristic CC symptoms with watery diarrhoea. CONCLUSION: The majority of patients without chronic watery diarrhoea at diagnosis remained free from this symptom during follow up and only in a few cases symptoms attributed to CC developed.

Clinical course of Crohn's disease during the first 5 years. Results from a population-based cohort in Sweden (ICURE) diagnosed 2005-2009.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to describe the medical treatment, change in phenotype, need for surgery and IBD-associated mortality during the first 5 years after diagnosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients diagnosed with Crohn's disease including all age groups in the Uppsala healthcare region in the middle of Sweden 2005-2009 were included in the study. Medical notes were scrutinised and patients contacted. Out of 269 patients, 260 (96.3%) could be followed for 5 full years or until death. RESULTS: The following drugs were used: 5-ASA 66.7%, systemic steroids 76.4%, antimetabolites 56.7% and anti-TNF 20.3%. Described with the Montreal classification, the proportion with inflammatory behaviour decreased from 78.1% to 74.0% from diagnosis to end of the observation, patients with stricturing behaviour increased from 13.0% to 15.4% and patients with penetrating behaviour increased from 8.9% to 10.6%. After the first year, 12.4% had been treated with intestinal resection or colectomy, a figure that increased to 14.8 after 5 years. Two patients suffered an IBD-related death. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to similar patient cohorts, the present study demonstrates that although the course of Crohn's disease seems difficult to change during the first year after diagnosis, the following years up to 5 years shows a more benign course than has usually been described earlier.

Low colectomy rate five years after diagnosis of ulcerative colitis. Results from a prospective population-based cohort in Sweden (ICURE) diagnosed during 2005-2009.

OBJECTIVE: The medical treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC) has seen a change towards a more active attitude during recent years, including both the use of more traditional drugs as well as new biological substances. In this epidemiological study we have evaluated the results of modern treatment of UC in a population-based cohort of patients including all age groups, with regard to relapse rate, colectomy and IBD-associated mortality. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients diagnosed with UC in the Uppsala health care region in the middle of Sweden during 2005-2009 were included in the study. Out of 524 patients, 491 (93%) could be followed for five full years or until death. RESULTS: Nineteen patients (3.9%) had died and two of these deaths could be attributed to UC (one postoperative death and one colonic carcinoma). The following drugs were used by the patients during the study period: 5-ASA (91%), systemic steroids (66%), immunomodulators (IMM), mainly thiopurines (26%) and anti-TNF (11%). During the observation period, 74% experienced at least one relapse and 5.3% were subjected to colectomy. Among patients <17 years at diagnosis, colectomy was performed in two (4.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Five years after diagnosis of ulcerative colitis, 5.3% had been subjected to colectomy and two patients (0.38%) had died because of the disease.

Celiac disease, collagenous sprue and microscopic colitis in IBD. Observations from a population-based cohort of IBD (ICURE).

OBJECTIVE: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), microscopic colitis and celiac disease are all diseases with worldwide distribution and increased incidence has been reported from many areas. There is a shortage of studies investigating the occurrence of these diseases in the same individual and whether those affected demonstrate any particular phenotype. The aim of the study was to describe the concomitant incidence of microscopic colitis and celiac disease in a population-based IBD cohort. METHODS: All 790 individuals in a prospective population-based cohort included 2005-09 from Uppsala region, Sweden, were reviewed regarding the appearance of microscopic or celiac disease before or after IBD diagnosis. RESULTS: Fifty percent (396/790) of the patients had been examined for the possibility of celiac disease. Seventeen patients with celiac disease were found, representing 2.2% of the cohort. Patients with celiac disease were younger compared to the non-celiac patients and those with colitis had more often an extensive inflammation of the colon. Seventy-one percent (12/17) were women. The majority of the patients were diagnosed with celiac disease before IBD. Five patients with IBD had an earlier diagnosis of microscopic colitis or developed it after the IBD diagnosis. One teenager developed collagenous sprue, misinterpreted as a severe relapse of ulcerative colitis (UC) resulting in colectomy. CONCLUSIONS: The risk for celiac disease seems not to be increased in IBD, but those affected by both diseases seem to be predominantly women with extensive UC. There is a potential association between microscopic colitis and IBD.

Appearance of hepatobiliary diseases in a population-based cohort with inflammatory bowel diseases (Inflammatory Bowel Disease Cohort of the Uppsala Region).

BACKGROUND AND AIM: To prospectively follow the evolution of hepatobiliary diseases in a population-based cohort of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases. METHODS: Between 2005 and 2009, 790 incident cases of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease were registered in the Uppsala Health Region, corresponding to an average incidence of 20.0 and 9.9 new cases/100 000 inhabitants/year, respectively. Liver function tests were analyzed in 97.1% and the results of ensuing investigations were summarized. RESULTS: Seventeen patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis were diagnosed corresponding to an overall prevalence of 2.2% (ulcerative colitis 1.7% and Crohn's disease 3.0%, respectively). The median age at diagnosis was 25 years (interquartile range: 17.0-34.0). Among the 92 patients below 17 years of age, three had autoimmune hepatitis and three primary sclerosing cholangitis, summing up to a prevalence of 6.5% immune-mediated hepatobiliary diseases among the pediatric patients. Three patients have undergone liver transplantation and one died of colonic carcinoma. Ten patients have demonstrated persistent elevation of alkaline phosphatases but had a normal magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (two patients) or refused further investigation (one patient). CONCLUSION: In this first large prospective population-based cohort of 526 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 264 with Crohn's disease, 17 cases of primary sclerosing cholangitis were found, among whom three (17%) so far have been liver transplanted and one has died of colon carcinoma. The average age of those affected by primary sclerosing cholangitis is considerably lower than usually reported. Ten patients had or have had elevated alkaline phosphatase without confirmed liver or biliary disease.

Anemia in a population-based IBD cohort (ICURE): still high prevalence after 1 year, especially among pediatric patients.

BACKGROUND: Prevalence of anemia in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is uncertain because of scarcity of population-based studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate prevalence of anemia in a population-based cohort of newly diagnosed patients with IBD to identify risk factors for anemia and to describe contemporary anemia-specific treatment during the first year. METHODS: All patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease in the IBD Cohort of Uppsala Region cohort (n = 790) and hemoglobin levels at the time of diagnosis were eligible for inclusion. The WHO definition of anemia was used. RESULTS: Seven hundred forty-nine (95%) of the patients with IBD were included. Five hundred eighty of 749 (77%) patients had measured hemoglobin levels at 12-month follow-up. The prevalence of anemia at the time of diagnosis was 227/749 (30%). After 1 year, it was 102/580 (18%). Anemia was more common among newly diagnosed patients with Crohn's disease compared with ulcerative colitis (42% versus 24%, P < 0.0001), but after 1 year, there was no difference (18% versus 18%, P = NS). Children had more often anemia compared with adults, both at diagnosis and after 1 year (diagnosis: 55% versus 27%, P < 0.0001; follow-up: 28% versus 16%, P < 0.05). Anemia was associated with colonic engagement in Crohn's disease and the extent of inflammation in ulcerative colitis. Only 46% of patients with anemia were treated with iron supplementation or blood transfusion. CONCLUSIONS: The overall prevalence of anemia in patients with IBD at the time of diagnosis was high. A large proportion was still anemic after 1 year. Children were more at risk compared with adults. More efforts are needed to treat patients with anemia.

Incidence and clinical course of Crohn's disease during the first year - results from the IBD Cohort of the Uppsala Region (ICURE) of Sweden 2005-2009.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: As a part of the Swedish ICURE study where the epidemiological results of ulcerative colitis and microscopic colitis recently have been published, we hereby present the corresponding figures for Crohn's disease. METHODS: All patients diagnosed with Crohn's disease in Uppsala County (305,381 inhabitants) were prospectively registered during 2005-2006 and the same for all new patients with Crohn's disease in Uppsala Region (642,117 inhabitants) during 2007-2009. RESULTS: 264 patients with Crohn's disease were included. The mean annual incidence was 9.9/100,000/year (95% CI: 7.1-12.6). Incidence among children <17 years was 10.0/100,000/year (95% CI: 3.8-16.3). 51% of the patients had ileal involvement (L1: n=73, 28%. L2: n=129, 49%. L3: n=62, 23%, L4: n=47, 18%) and 23% had a stricturing or penetrating disease (B1: n=204, 77%. B2: n=34, 13%. B3: n=26, 10%. p: n=27, 10%). Intestinal resection rate during the first year was 12.5%. Patients with complicated disease had longer symptom duration before diagnosis compared to patients with non-complicated disease (median months 12.0, IQR: 3.0-24.0 vs 4.0, IQR: 2.0-12.0, p=0.0032). Patients 40 years or older had an increased risk for surgery (HR: 2.03, 95% CI: 1.01-4.08, p=0.0457). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of Crohn's disease in a region of Sweden is one of the highest reported in Europe. Long symptom duration precedes stricturing or penetrating behaviour. Old age is an independent risk factor for surgery.

Microscopic colitis in Uppsala health region, a population-based prospective study 2005-2009.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to report on the incidence of microscopic colitis (MC), any possible relation with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), concomitant drug consumption, related diseases and the clinical course of the diseases. METHODS: Both new cases of IBD and MC were registered at the same time in the same geographical area. The study started in the county of Uppsala 2005-2006, and other parts of the surrounding health region were included 2007-2009. Established morphological criteria were used, i.e. a layer of subepithelial collagen band ≥ 10 µm in collagenous colitis (CC) with concomitant inflammation and at least 20 lymphocytes per 100 epithelial cells in lymphocytic colitis (LC). RESULTS: The authors found 272 new cases of MC, 154 with CC and 118 with LC. The mean age-adjusted incidence was 7.0/1,000,000 for CC and 4.8/100,000 for LC. The clinical course was dominated by single episodes with diarrhea or intermittent symptoms, but 14% suffered from chronic diarrhea. In 10% of the cases, diagnosis was made in individuals without chronic watery diarrhea. Although not systematically tested, concomitant celiac disease was found in approximately 5% of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of MC in Uppsala health region is similar to other studied areas. The majority of patients had a self-limiting or easily treated condition, but 14% need a more or less continuous medication. Ten percent of the patients demonstrate other symptoms than chronic watery diarrhea. The possibility of concomitant celiac disease should be considered in new cases of MC.

Incidence and natural history of ulcerative colitis in the Uppsala Region of Sweden 2005-2009 - results from the IBD cohort of the Uppsala Region (ICURE).

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The incidence of ulcerative colitis (UC) increased during the 20th century in Western Europe and the North America, but there are conflicting reports whether the incidence has declined, stabilized or continued to increase. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of UC in the Uppsala Region, Sweden. METHODS: All new UC patients in Uppsala County (305,381 inhabitants) were prospectively registered during 2005-2006 and the same for all new UC patients in the Uppsala Region (642,117 inhabitants) during 2007-2009. The extent and severity of disease according to the Montreal classification, relapse rates and surgery were assessed. RESULTS: 526 UC patients were included. The mean overall incidence for the time period was 20.0 (95% CI: 16.1-23.9) cases per 100,000 inhabitants. The incidence among children <17 years of age was 8.9 per 100,000. The extent at diagnosis was evenly distributed (E1: n=167, 32%, E2: n=161, 31%, E3: n=163, 31%). Half of the cases had moderate to severe symptoms (S1: n=269, 51%, S2: n=209, 40%, S3: n=45, 8.6%). 228 (43%) relapsed and 13 (2.5%) required colectomy during the first year. Children had a higher proportion of extensive disease vs adults (27/42 vs 136/484), but no increased risk for severe symptoms or colectomy. CONCLUSION: In this prospective population-based study we found one of the highest incidences of UC in the world. The proportion of severe cases is comparable with historical data. The conclusion is that the nature of UC has not changed, only the incidence.