[Long-term follow-up of Crohn disease]

184 patients diagnosed with Crohn's disease were observed for an average of 5 years and evaluated for clinical pattern and course of disease. The male/female ratio was almost equal (90 m. vs. 94 f.). The peak of disease manifestation was between years 18-32. Familial clustering of inflammatory bowel disease was observed in 2.2%. The pattern of anatomic involvement was ileocolic in 53%, colon in 24%, small bowel in 20% and other locations in 3%. 34% of patients were afflicted with at least one extraintestinal manifestation, 34% developed fistulae. Fistula formation was seen more often in colon involvement than small bowel involvement (69% vs. 32%). 48% of the patients were operated at least once. 3 patients died during the observation period, 2 of them with sepsis. Evolution of carcinoma was not observed. Some of our results are in accordance with the literature, some distinct observations (e.g. low familial clustering) underline the theory of a multifactorial pathogenesis in Crohn's disease.