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Pericarditis in exacerbation of ulcerative colitis
L Virovic Jukic1, M Duvnjak, N Barsic
1Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Sestre Milosrdnice University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia.
Acta Gastro-Enterologica Belgica
|March 9, 2007
Summary
Acute pericarditis is a rare complication of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This case highlights pericardial involvement in ulcerative colitis, potentially linked to IBD or its treatments.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology and Cardiology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) encompasses chronic conditions like ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.
- Extraintestinal manifestations (EIMs) can affect various organ systems in IBD patients.
- Pericarditis, inflammation of the pericardium, is an uncommon EIM in IBD.
Observation:
- A 26-year-old female with severe ulcerative colitis exacerbation presented with acute pericarditis.
- The patient had a history of long-term treatment with mesalazine and low-dose prednisone.
- This clinical scenario suggests potential links between IBD, its management, and cardiac complications.
Findings:
- Acute pericarditis is a rare but recognized extraintestinal manifestation of inflammatory bowel disease.
- Pericardial involvement may also represent an adverse drug reaction to medications used in IBD treatment.
- The case underscores the importance of considering cardiac complications in IBD patients, especially during disease flares.
Implications:
- Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for pericarditis in IBD patients, particularly those with active disease or on specific therapies.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms linking IBD, its treatments, and the development of pericarditis.
- This case contributes to the understanding of the diverse clinical spectrum of inflammatory bowel disease and its potential systemic effects.
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