Permanent work disability in Crohn's disease.

OBJECTIVE: Crohn's disease (CD) frequently presents during early adulthood, a peak time of work productivity. There are limited data from the United States on work disability from CD. We performed this study to identify clinical factors associated with permanent work disability in a CD tertiary referral cohort. METHODS: Cases were identified as patients who received permanent work disability compensation from the social security administration (SSA) related to CD. Four control patients who were not receiving work disability were selected for each case. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify characteristics that were independently associated with work disability. RESULTS: A total of 737 patients with CD were seen in our center, and 185 CD patients were included in our study (37 disability cases, 148 controls). On multivariate analysis, an SIBDQ score

Impact of Clostridium difficile on inflammatory bowel disease.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Clostridium difficile-associated disease has increased significantly in North American medical centers. The impact of C difficile on patients with IBD (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis) at the present time is unknown. METHODS: A retrospective, observational study evaluating IBD patients followed in a referral center to evaluate the impact of C difficile was performed. Diagnosis was confirmed with stool toxin analysis. Demographic information, diagnosis, anatomic location, IBD therapy, antibiotic exposure, hospitalizations, and surgeries were recorded. Available endoscopic and histologic data were evaluated. RESULTS: Rate of C difficile infection increased from 1.8% of IBD patients in 2004 to 4.6% in 2005 (P < .01). Proportion of IBD patients within the total number of C difficile infections at our institution increased from 7% in 2004 to 16% in 2005 (P < .01). IBD colonic involvement was found in the majority of C difficile-infected patients in 2005 (91%), and the majority contracted infection as an outpatient (76%). Antibiotic exposure was identified in 61% of IBD patients with C difficile infection in 2005. Pseudomembranes and fibrinopurulent eruptions were not seen endoscopically or histologically. During 2004-2005 more than half of the infected IBD patients required hospitalization, and 20% required colectomy. Univariate and multivariate analysis identified maintenance immunomodulator use and colonic involvement as independent risk factors for C difficile infection in IBD. CONCLUSIONS: C difficile infection has increased significantly in IBD patients and negatively impacts clinical outcome. Increased vigilance regarding this infection in IBD patients with colitis activity is warranted.