Clinical outcome after entero-enteric anastomosis for Crohn's disease: a case-control study

The outcome of Crohn's Disease (CD) patients with entero-enteric anastomosis (EEA) after small bowel resection is undefined. The primary aim of the present case-control study was to compare the clinical recurrence rate within the first 5 years after surgery in CD patients with small bowel EEA (Cases) versus age-matched patients with ileo-colonic anastomosis (ICA, Controls).

All CD patients with EEA were matched for age at diagnosis (±5 years) and smoking habits with two Controls with ICA. Inclusion criteria were: (1) age ≥18 years; (2) EEA or ICA for CD; (3) ≥5 years of follow-up after surgery. Exclusion criteria were: (1) missing data; (2) ostomy; (3) stricturoplasty.

The study population included 51 CD patients with EEA and 102 matched Controls with ICA. During the first 5 years after surgery, clinical recurrence and CD-related hospitalizations were more frequent in Cases (34 [66.7%] vs 43 [42.2%], P = .007; 25 [49%] vs 23 [22.5%], P = .001). During the same period, use of corticosteroids, immunosuppressors, and biologics were also more frequent in Cases (26 [50.9%] vs 18 [17.6%], P < .0001; 21 [41.2%] vs 24 [23.5%], P = .03; 23 [45.1%] vs 15 [14.7%], P = .03). Survival time from clinical recurrence and hospitalization were shorter in Cases (2.36 [1.29-4.35], P = .003; 1.71 [1.06-2.77], P = 0.02). EEA and use of immunosuppressors before surgery were risk factors for clinical recurrence and CD-related hospitalization at 5 years (2.68 [1.11-6.45], P = .02; 2.61 [1.21-5.6], P = .01; 2.53 [1.05-6.09], P = .03; 2.44 [1.18-5], P = .01).

The clinical outcome is more severe in CD patients with EEA than in those with ICA, being associated with a higher rate of clinical recurrence and hospitalization after surgery.