MD Edberg et al. Crohn’s and Colitis 360, 2023; https://doi.org/10.1093/crocol/otad003 Open Access! Trends in Surgical Recurrence Among Pediatric Crohn’s Disease Patients Using Administrative Claims Data

Methods: This study analyzed postresection pediatric (≤18 years) CD patients (n=434) identified in the 2007–2018 IQVIA Legacy PharMetrics administrative claims database

Key findings:

• Risk of surgical recurrence was 3.5%, 4.6%, and 5.3% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively
• Postoperatively, patients were most commonly prescribed an immune modulator (33%), anti-tumor necrosis factor agent (32%), or antibiotic (27%)
• 24% underwent colonoscopy 6–15 months postoperatively

My take: Current recommendations include postoperative endoscopic surveillance 6-12 months after surgery. Would the surgical recurrence rate have been lower if there had been higher postoperatively endoscopic evaluation?

Related blog posts:

• Expert Guidance on Pediatric Postoperative Crohn’s Disease
• AGA 2017 Guidelines for Postoperative Crohn’s Disease
• Microscopic Disease Does Not Predict Relapse in Crohn’s Disease