Thromboembolic events in inflammatory bowel disease

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Hematology
• Clinical Medicine

Background:

• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is linked to a higher risk of thromboembolic events (TEE), particularly during disease flares, contributing to increased morbidity and mortality.
• Understanding the prevalence and characteristics of TEE in IBD patients is crucial for improving patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of TEE in patients with IBD.
• To characterize the epidemiological, clinical, and evolutionary aspects of TEE in this patient cohort.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective study was conducted, analyzing data from January 2012 to December 2018.
• Inclusion criteria comprised patients diagnosed with IBD and confirmed thromboembolic complications via imaging.

Main Results:

• Out of 100 IBD patients, 6 (5.9%) experienced TEE.
• The affected patients, with an average age of 41, had active IBD; common manifestations included deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.
• Thrombophilia investigations were negative, and outcomes varied, with 4 patients recovering and 2 fatalities.

Conclusions:

• The prevalence of TEE in IBD patients was found to be 5.9%.
• All identified TEE cases occurred during the active phase of IBD, underscoring the disease activity's role.