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Irritable Bowel-like Symptoms in Ulcerative Colitis are as Common in Patients in Deep Remission as in Inflammation:
Magne Henriksen1, Marte Lie Høivik2, Lars-Petter Jelsness-Jørgensen1,3
1Østfold Hospital Trust, Department of Gastroenterology, Grålum, Norway.
Background And Aims:
An increased prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome [IBS]-like symptoms has been reported in patients with ulcerative colitis [UC]. Whether ongoing inflammation increases the prevalence of such symptoms is unknown. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of IBS-like symptoms in a population-based cohort of UC patients 20 years after diagnosis, and to assess the possible association between such symptoms and ongoing inflammation.
Methods:
Patients diagnosed with UC between 1990 and 1994, in a geographically well-defined area, were included in a prospective follow-up study, and IBS symptoms according to Rome III criteria were recorded 20 years after diagnosis. The patients underwent colonoscopy with biopsies and/or the level of faecal calprotectin was analysed.
Results:
A total of 260 patients answered the Rome III questionnaire. The overall prevalence of IBS-like symptoms was 27%. In patients who had no signs of inflammation in colonic biopsies [n = 96] [deep remission], the prevalence was 29%. No difference in prevalence of IBS-like symptoms was found between patients with ongoing inflammation and patients in deep remission.
Conclusions:
IBS-like symptoms in UC patients are frequent after 20 years of disease. Deep remission did not change the frequency of IBS-like symptoms.
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