Prognostic significance of granulomas in children with Crohn's disease

Granulomas have long been considered the histological hallmark of Crohn's disease (CD). Currently, there is considerable dispute with regards to their prognostic implications. We aimed to determine the effect of granulomas on phenotypic features and disease's long-term outcomes in a large cohort of pediatric CD patients.

Medical records of pediatric CD patients diagnosed at the Schneider Children's Medical Center were reviewed retrospectively. Patients were categorized into two groups based on the presence or absence of granulomas at diagnosis. Baseline characteristics included anthropometric, clinical, laboratory, radiological and endoscopic data. Outcome measures included flares, hospitalizations, biological therapy and surgery.

Of 289 CD patients diagnosed between 2001 and 2015, 99 patients (34%) had granulomas. Median age of the entire cohort at diagnosis was 14.2 years (females, 42.6%), with a median follow-up of 8.5 years. Patients with granulomas had a significantly higher percentage (47.5% vs. 23.7%, p = .001) of upper gastrointestinal involvement and ileo-colonic disease (64.9% vs. 49.5%, p = .01). Extraintestinal manifestations were twice as common in patients without granulomas (16.3% vs. 8.1%, p = .05). Patients with granulomas were more likely to be hospitalized (HR =1.43, 95% CI: 1.0-2.0) and to receive biologic therapy (HR = 1.52, 95% CI: 1.1-2.11). Additionally, both of these disease outcomes occurred significantly earlier (p = .013 and p = .027, respectively). In contrast, patients with granulomas did not exhibit increased risk of flares or bowel resection.

Patients with granulomas exhibited a distinct phenotype at diagnosis and demonstrated a more severe disease course.