[Clinical features of 12 cases of respiratory diseases associated with inflammatory bowel diseases]

Objective: To investigate the clinical features of respiratory diseases associated with inflammatory bowel diseases(IBD). Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed for 12 cases of respiratory diseases associated with IBD admitted to Beijing Chaoyang Hospital from January 2011 to May 2017. Their clinical data, including symptoms, laboratory, spirometry, radiological findings as well as therapy and clinical course, were collected. Results: These 12 patients, including 11 males and 6 smokers, were 37-75 years old, with an average age of (61±12) years. There were 11 patients with ulcerative colitis(UC) and 1 with Crohn's disease(CD). The interval between the diagnosis of IBD and the occurrence of respiratory diseases ranged from 5 months to 30 years. The patients did not receive therapy for IBD when respiratory diseases were diagnosed. The respiratory diseases associated IBD included bronchiectasis (n=3), interstitial lung diseases (n=5, with 2 cases of organizing pneumonia by pathology), pulmonary embolism(n=3) and pulmonary arterial stenosis (n=1). Of the 12 cases, 9 presented with respiratory symptoms, including cough, expectoration and dyspnea. One patient presented with abdominal symptoms and 2 cases were found by physical examinations. Chest CT features were manifested as bronchiectasis, reticular patterns, patchy opacity and pulmonary artery filling defect. Conclusions: Respiratory diseases associated with IBD are various, which can involve airways, interstitium and pulmonary vessels. Respiratory diseases seem to be more common in patients with UC as compared to those with CD.