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Some studies have suggested a reduced life expectancy in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) compared with the general population. The evidence, however, is inconsistent. Prompted by such studies, we studied survival of CD patients in Örebro county, Sweden. From the medical records, we identified all patients diagnosed with CD during 1963–2010 with follow-up to the end of 2011. We estimated: overall survival, net and crude probabilities of dying from CD, relative survival ratio (RSR), and excess mortality rate ratios (EMRR) at 10-year follow-up. The study included 492 patients (226 males, 266 females). Median age at diagnosis was 32 years (3–87). Net and crude probabilities of dying from CD increased with increasing age and were higher for women. Net survival of patients aged ≥60 at diagnosis was worse for patients diagnosed during 1963–1985 (54%) than for patients diagnosed during 1986–1999 (88%) or 2000–2010 (93%). Overall, CD patients' survival was comparable to that in the general population [RSR = 0.98; 95% CI: (0.95–1.00)]. However, significantly lower than expected survival was suggested for female patients aged ≥60 diagnosed during the 1963–1985 [RSR = 0.47 (0.07–0.95)]. The adjusted model suggested that, compared with diagnostic period 1963–1985, disease-related excess mortality declined during 2000–2010 [EMRR = 0.36 (0.07–1.96)]; and age ≥60 at diagnosis [EMRR = 7.99 (1.64–39.00), reference: age 40–59], female sex [EMRR = 4.16 (0.62–27.85)], colonic localization [EMRR = 4.20 (0.81–21.88), reference: ileal localization], and stricturing/penetrating disease [EMRR = 2.56 (0.52–12.58), reference: inflammatory disease behaviour] were associated with poorer survival. CD-related excess mortality may vary with diagnostic period, age, sex and disease phenotype. There is inconsistent evidence on life expectancy of patients with Crohn's disease Crohn's disease-specific survival improved over time. Earlier diagnosis period, older age at diagnosis, female sex, colonic disease and complicated disease behaviour seems to be associated with excess Crohn's disease-related mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Changes in medical therapy and surgery might have influenced the natural history of Crohn’s disease (CD). Our aim was to explore the short-term outcome of CD and to specifically assess trends in disease phenotype, medications and surgery in the first five years from diagnosis.Material and methods: A population-based cohort comprising 472 CD patients diagnosed within the primary catchment area of Örebro University Hospital 1963–2005 were identified retrospectively and described. Data on medication, surgery, progression in disease location and behavior, were extracted from the medical records. Patients were divided into three cohorts based on year of diagnosis.Results: The proportion of patients with complicated disease behavior five years after diagnosis decreased from 54.4% (95%CI, 43.9–65.6) to 33.3% (27.4–40.0) in patients diagnosed 1963–1975 and 1991–2005, respectively (p = 0.002), whereas the proportion of patients progressing to complicated disease behavior was stable among those with non-stricturing, non-penetrating disease at diagnosis (p = 0.435). The proportion of patients undergoing surgery decreased from 65.8% (55.4–76.0) to 34.6% (28.6–41.5) in patients diagnosed 1963–1975 and 1991–2005, respectively (p < 0.001). The reduction in surgery preceded an increased use of immunomodulators and was explained by a decrease in surgery within three months from diagnosis (p = 0.001).Conclusions: We observed a striking decrease in complicated disease behavior and surgery five years after CD diagnosis, the latter largely due to a decrease in early surgery. Our findings suggest that the introduction of new treatments alone does not explain the reduction in surgery rates, the increasing proportion of patients with inflammatory disease at diagnosis also play an important role. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background and aims. Collagenous colitis (CC) is associated with autoimmune disorders. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between CC and autoimmune disorders in a Swedish multicenter study. Methods. Patients with CC answered questionnaires about demographic data and disease activity. The patient's files were scrutinized for information about autoimmune diseases. Results. A total number of 116 CC patients were included; 92 women, 24 men, median age 62 years (IQR 55-73). In total, 30.2% had one or more autoimmune disorder. Most common were celiac disease (CeD; 12.9%) and autoimmune thyroid disease (ATD, 10.3%), but they also had Sjögren's syndrome (3.4%), diabetes mellitus (1.7%) and conditions in skin and joints (6.0%). Patients with associated autoimmune disease had more often nocturnal stools. The majority of the patients with associated CeD or ATD got these diagnoses before the colitis diagnosis. Conclusion. Autoimmune disorders occurred in one-third of these patients, especially CeD. In classic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), liver disease is described in contrast to CC where no cases occurred. Instead, CeD was prevalent, a condition not reported in classic IBD. Patients with an associated autoimmune disease had more symptoms. Patients with CC and CeD had an earlier onset of their colitis. The majority of the patients with both CC and CeD were smokers. Associated autoimmune disease should be contemplated in the follow-up of these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. The association between smoking and idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease is well known; smoking seems to have a diverse effect. Crohn's disease is associated with smoking, while ulcerative colitis is associated with non-smoking. Data on smoking in microscopic colitis of the collagenous type (CC) are lacking. The aim of this investigation was to study smoking habits in CC and to observe whether smoking had any impact on the course of the disease. Materials and methods. 116 patients (92 women) with median age of 62 years (interquartile range 55-73) answered questionnaires covering demographic data, smoking habits and disease activity. As control group we used data from the general population in Sweden retrieved from Statistics Sweden, the central bureau for national socioeconomic information. Results. Of the 116 CC patients, 37% were smokers compared with 17% of controls ( p < 0.001, odds ratio (OR) 2.95). In the age group 16-44 years, 75% of CC patients were smokers compared with 15% of controls ( p < 0.001, OR 16.54). All CC smoker patients started smoking before the onset of disease. Furthermore, smokers developed the disease earlier than non-smokers - at 42 years of age (median) compared with 56 years in non-smokers ( p < 0.003). Although the proportion with active disease did not differ between smokers and non-smokers, there was a trend indicating that more smokers received active treatment (42% vs. 17%, p == 0.078). Conclusions. Smoking is a risk factor for CC. Smokers develop their disease more than 10 years earlier than non-smokers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. Disease-related worries constitute an important dimension of patient-reported perception of health status in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The Rating Form of IBD Patient Concerns (RFIPC) questionnaire is purported to measure IBD-related worries. This study evaluated the psychometric properties of a Swedish translation of RFIPC in an unselected population of Crohn's disease (CD) patients. The degree and nature of the worries were characterized and predictive factors for outcome of RFIPC and underlying dimensions were identified. Material and Methods. The RFIPC was completed by 447 CD patients in conjunction with regular visits. A physician global assessment of disease activity and four other health-related quality of life (HRQL) questionnaires were used for construct validity. Reliability and responsiveness were evaluated with follow-up visits. Underlying dimension and predictive factors were identified with factor analysis and multiple linear regression analysis. Results. Test-retest reliability was 0.90, correlation with corresponding HRQL measures 0.60–0.80 and responsiveness ratio 0.84. Median RFIPC sum score was lower than in previous studies. Top three concerns were ostomy, energy level and bowel control. Four dimensions were identified in descending order of concern: disease-related complications, daily-life achievements, intimacy, and stigmatization. Predictors of RFIPC score were disease activity, gender, and BMI ( p < 0.001–0.008). Conclusions. The Swedish version of RFIPC exhibited an adequate psychometric performance in CD patients, but was less sensitive to change in disease activity. The patients were more concerned about complications and achievement than intimacy and stigmatization. The strongest predictors of more worry were active disease, female gender and higher BMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. Adult-type hypolactasia (AtH) can be diagnosed by genotyping in addition to functional tests or intestinal biopsy. The aims of this study were to estimate the prevalence of AtH by genotyping and to investigate whether AtH prevalence has changed in Sweden during the 20th century. Material and methods. Schoolchildren (n=690) born in 1983 and 1989, and elderly individuals (n=392) born between 1920 and 1932 were genotyped for AtH using Pyrosequencing technology. Results. The overall prevalence of AtH among children was 14.1%. The majority of children (92%, n=635) were Caucasians with genotype prevalences: CC, 61 (10%); CT, 259 (41%); TT, 307 (49%). The frequency of the mutated allele q was 0.300 in this cohort. The prevalence of AtH estimated from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) (q 2), was 9.0% (95% CI: 6.7–11.2%). Eight percent (n=55) of the children were non-Caucasian; genotype prevalences were CC, 36 (66%); CT, 15 (27%); TT, 4 (7%). The prevalence of AtH in these children estimated from HWE was 62.5% (95% CI: 49.7–75.3%). The elderly subjects were all Caucasians. Their genotype prevalences were: CC, 20 (5%); CT, 166 (42%); TT, 206 (53%); the frequency of the mutated allele q was 0.262 and their AtH prevalence estimated from HWE was 6.8% (95% CI: 4.3–9.2%). Conclusions. The overall prevalence of AtH in children (14%) was higher than previously thought. Among Caucasians, higher figures were seen in children than in the elderly (9% versus 6.8%). The prevalence thus seems to be increasing and this may be due to the immigration of both non-Caucasian and Caucasian groups with a higher prevalence of AtH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. Selective leukocyte apheresis is a new type of non-pharmacological treatment for patients with active ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Preliminary data have indicated that this type of therapy is safe and efficacious, and large sham-controlled studies are currently in progress. In Scandinavia, a substantial number of patients with chronic inflammatory bowel disease have already received leukocyte apheresis on a compassionate use basis and the aim of this study was to report the clinical outcome and adverse events in the first patients treated. Material and methods. Clinical details of the first consecutive 100 patients with inflammatory bowel disease treated with granulocyte, monocyte/macrophage (Adacolumn) apheresis in Scandinavia were prospectively registered. Median length of follow-up was 17 months, (range 5–30). Results. The study population comprised 52 patients with ulcerative colitis, 44 patients with Crohn's disease and 4 patients with indeterminate colitis. In 97 patients the indication for Adacolumn treatment was steroid-refractory or steroid-dependent disease. Clinical remission was attained in 48% of the patients with ulcerative colitis, and an additional 27% had a clinical response to the apheresis treatment. The corresponding figures for patients with Crohn's disease were 41% and 23%, respectively. Complete steroid withdrawal was achieved in 27 out of the 50 patients taking corticosteroids at baseline. Adverse events were reported in 15 patients and headache was most frequently reported (n=7). Conclusions. Granulocyte, monocyte/macrophage apheresis treatment seems to be a valuable adjuvant therapy in selected patients with refractory inflammatory bowel disease. The risk for toxicity or severe adverse events appears to be low. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. Assessment of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is important in both clinical practice and clinical trials, and several multi-item questionnaires are currently in use. We have devised and evaluated a simplified four-item questionnaire, the Short Health Scale (SHS), representing each of four health dimensions: (a) symptom burden, (b) social function, (c) disease-related worry and (d) general well-being. Material and methods. Three hundred patients with ulcerative colitis completed the SHS and three other HRQOL questionnaires (IBDQ, RFIPC and PGWB). Half of the patients repeated the questionnaires after 6 months - or earlier if disease activity changed. Test-retest reliability was derived from measurements of the SHS questions, 2 weeks apart, on 18 patients in remission. Results. Patients in relapse scored higher on each of the four SHS questions than patients in remission (p < 0.001). Each of the four SHS scores were associated with results of their corresponding health dimension obtained with the other three questionnaires (rs=0.57-0.78, p < 0.001) (validity). The results of the SHS proved stable on repeated measurement with a 2-week interval in patients in remission (rs=0.71-0.91, p < 0.01) (test-retest reliability). Patients with a change in disease activity had a significant change in their SHS scores (p < 0.05) (responsiveness). Conclusions. The SHS is a valid, reliable and responsive measure of subjective health in patients with ulcerative colitis. It is simple to administer, quickly completed and the results do not need further calculations. The SHS can be used in clinical trials and in clinical practice to identify the patient's main problems affecting health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is an important measure of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) health outcome. The Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ) comprising 32 items grouped into four dimensions is a widely used IBD-specific HRQoL instrument. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the validity, reliability and responsiveness of the Swedish translation of the IBDQ in patients with Crohn's disease (CD). Material and methods. Four hundred and forty-eight patients with CD completed the IBDQ and three other HRQoL questionnaires (Rating Form of IBD Patient Concerns; Short Form-36; and the Psychological General Well-Being Index) in connection with their regular visit at the outpatient clinic. Disease activity was assessed by the physician on a 4-point Likert scale. Thirty-two patients who were stable in remission completed the questionnaires a second time, 4 weeks later. A total of 418 patients repeated all measurements after 6 months. Results. The dimensional scores were highly correlated with other measures of corresponding aspects of HRQoL and were significantly better in remission than in relapse. High test–retest correlations indicated good reliability. Responsiveness was confirmed in patients whose disease activity changed over time. However, high correlations between the dimensions, poor correlations between items within each dimension, and factor analysis all indicated that the original grouping of the items is not valid for Swedish CD patients. Conclusions. Although the Swedish IBDQ has good external validity, reliability and responsiveness for patients with CD, our results did not support the original grouping of the items. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In general, the colonic mucosa is macroscopically normal in collagenous colitis, although minor, non-specific abnormalities may be found. Significant endoscopic abnormalities, “mucosal tears” representing longitudinal mucosal lacerations, have been reported in a few patients with collagenous colitis. We report the cases of three women with collagenous colitis and mucosal tears detected at the index colonoscopy in order to illustrate the endoscopic characteristics and review the literature. Including the present cases, a total of 12 patients with mucosal tears and collagenous colitis have been reported. In 10 patients, the mucosal lacerations involved the ascending or the transverse colon. Three of the 12 patients had a colonic perforation immediately after the colonoscopy. The colonoscopist should be aware that the risk of perforation is likely to be increased when mucosal tears are present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summarizes clinical studies on the genetic predisposition to Crohn's disease and focuses on the clinical characteristics of familial Crohn's disease. Familial aggregation of inflammatory bowel disease; Clinical data supporting a genetic predisposition in inflammatory bowel disease; Genetics and clinical characteristics of Crohn's disease.