Search

BACKGROUND Continent ileostomy is a solution for patients after proctocolectomy. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to assess the long-term complications and failure rate alongside patient satisfaction, function, and quality of life for patients with a continent ileostomy. DESIGN This was a retrospective, descriptive cross-sectional study. SETTINGS All patients were operated in 1 center between 1980 and 2016. PATIENTS A total of 85 patients received a de novo continent ileostomy in our institution. Sixty-nine patients (80%) had ulcerative colitis, 12 (14%) had Crohn's disease, 2 had indeterminate colitis, and 1 each had familial adenomatous polyposis and anal atresia. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Medical charts were reviewed for reoperations and pouchitis. The 36-Item Short Form, Short Health Scale, and a local continent ileostomy questionnaire were used to assess quality of life, function, and satisfaction. RESULTS After a median follow-up of 24 years, 67 patients (79%) underwent a total of 237 reoperations, of which 15 were conversions to end ileostomies, that is, failures. Fifty patients (59%) underwent repeat laparotomies, excluding loop ileostomy closures. Nipple detachment was the most common cause for repeat laparotomy, and fistulation was the most common cause for pouch removal. IPAA before continent ileostomy was associated with an increased risk for failure. Crohn's disease was not associated with an increased risk for reoperation or failure. Forty-three patients (84%) reported that they were satisfied. Seventy patients were available for questionnaires, and 50 patients (71%) answered. There was no difference in the 36-Item Short Form between the continent ileostomy population and an age-matched control population. LIMITATIONS The retrospective, single-center design of the study alongside

Aim The aim of the study was to compare patients with symptomatic anastomotic leakage following low anterior resection of the rectum (LAR) for cancer diagnosed during the initial hospital stay with ...

Aim The study aimed to assess quality of life (QoL) in patients with a sigmoid colostomy using a simple general and disease-specific instrument. A subgroup not doing well was identified and examine ...

Anorectal function is often impaired after low anterior resection of the rectum. Many factors affect the functional outcome and not all are known.This trial aimed to assess whether a temporary defunctioning stoma affected anorectal function after the patients had been stoma-free for a year.Multicenter randomized controlled trial.Twenty-one Swedish hospitals performing surgery for rectal cancer participated.Patients who had undergone low anterior resection for adenocarcinoma of the rectum were eligible.Patients were randomly assigned to receive a defunctioning stoma or no stoma.Anorectal function was evaluated with a questionnaire after patients had been without a stoma for 12 months. Questions pertained to stool frequency, urgency, fragmentation of bowel movements, evacuation difficulties, incontinence, lifestyle alterations, and whether patients would prefer a permanent stoma.After exclusion of patients in whom stomas became permanent, a total of 181 (90%) of 201 patients answered the questionnaire (90 in the stoma group and 91 in the no-stoma group). The median number of stools was 3 during the day and 0 at night in both groups. Inability to defer defecation for 15 minutes was reported in 35% of patients in the stoma group and 25% in the no stoma group (P = .15). Median scores were the same in each group regarding need for medication, evacuation difficulties, fragmentation of bowel movements, incontinence, and effects on well-being. Two patients (2.2%) in the stoma group and 3 patients (3.3%) in the no-stoma group would have preferred a permanent stoma.Because this study was an analysis of secondary end points of a randomized trial, no prestudy power calculation was performed.A defunctioning stoma after low anterior resection did not affect anorectal function evaluated after 1 year. Many patients experienced impaired anorectal function, but nearly all preferred having impaired anorectal function to a permanent stoma.

PURPOSE: Thiopurines are important as maintenance therapy in Crohn's disease, but there have been concerns whether thiopurines increase the risk for anastomotic complications. The present study was performed to assess whether thiopurines alone, or together with other possible risk factors, are associated with postoperative intra-abdominal septic complications after abdominal surgery for Crohn's disease. METHODS: Prospectively registered data regarding perioperative factors were collected at a single tertiary referral center from 1989 to 2002. Data from 343 consecutive abdominal operations on patients with Crohn's disease were entered into a multivariate analysis to evaluate risk factors for intra-abdominal septic complications. All operations involved either anastomoses, strictureplasties, or both; no operations, however, involved proximal diversion. RESULTS: Intra-abdominal septic complications occurred in 26 of 343 operations (8%). Thiopurine therapy was associated with an increased risk of intra-abdominal septic complications (16% with therapy; 6% without therapy; P = 0.044). Together with established risk factors such as preoperative intra-abdominal sepsis (18% with sepsis; 6% without sepsis; P = 0.024) and colo-colonic anastomosis (16% with such anastomosis; 6% with other types of anastomosis; P = 0.031), thiopurine therapy was associated with intra-abdominal septic complications in 24% if any 2 or all 3 risk factors were present compared with 13% if any 1 factor was present, and only 4% in patients if none of these factors were present (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Thiopurine therapy is associated with postoperative intra-abdominal septic complications. The risk for intra-abdominal septic complications was related to the number of identified risk factors. This increased risk should be taken into consideration when planning surgery for Crohn's disease.

Background and aims: The importance of efficient and safe treatment of Crohns disease is highlighted by its chronicity. Both medical and surgical treatments have shown good results in the symptomatic control of limited ileocaecal Crohns disease. The aim of this study was to compare medical treatment with surgical treatment of ileocaecal Crohns disease. Methods: Thirty-six patients from seven hospitals with primary ileocaecal Crohns disease were randomized to either medical or surgical treatment. The medical treatment was induction of remission with budesonide and thereafter maintenance treatment with azathioprine. The surgical treatment was open ileocaecal resection. Crohns disease activity index over time, expressed as area under the curve at 1, 3 and 5 years, was the primary endpoint. Subjective health measured with the 36-item Short Form Survey Instrument (SF36) and a visual analogue scale (VAS) were secondary endpoints. Results: There were no differences between the treatment groups in Crohns disease activity index over time. General health, measured as SF36 score, was higher in patients receiving surgical treatment than in those receiving medical treatment at 1 year, but there was no corresponding difference in VAS. Due to the slow inclusion rate and changes in clinical practice, the study was t = erminated prematurely. Conclusion: The study ended up being underpowered and should be interpreted with caution, but there was no clinically significant difference between the two treatment arms. Further studies are needed to address this important clinical question.

AimAdhesions are the most common cause of small bowel obstruction (SBO). The costs of hospitalization and surgery for SBO are substantial for the health-care system. The adhesion-limiting potential of icodextrin has been shown in patients undergoing surgery for gynaecological diseases. A randomized, multicentre trial in colorectal cancer surgery started in 2009 with the aim of evaluating whether icodextrin could reduce the long-term risk of surgery for SBO. Because of some concerns about complications (especially anastomotic leakage) after icodextrin use, a preplanned interim analysis of morbidity and mortality was conducted. MethodPatients with colorectal cancer without metastasis were randomized 1:1 to receive standard surgery, with or without instillation of icodextrin in the abdominal cavity. For the first 300 patients, the 30-day follow-up data were collected from the Swedish ColoRectal Cancer Registry (SCRCR). Pre-, per- and postoperative data, morbidity and mortality were analysed. ResultsOf the 300 randomized patients, 288 had a data file in the SCRCR. Twelve patients did not have cancer and another five did not have a resection, leaving 283 for analysis. The authors were blinded to the randomization groups. Demographic data were similar in both groups. The overall complication rate was 24% in Group 1 and 23% in Group 2 (P=0.89). Four cases of anastomotic leakage were reported in Group 1 and five were reported in Group 2 (P=1.0). Mortality, intensive care unit (ICU) stay and re-operations did not differ between the groups. ConclusionThe pre-planned safety analysis of the first 300 patients enrolled in this randomized trial did not show any differences in adverse effects related to the use of icodextrin. All data were gathered from the SCRCR, giving us a strong message that we can continue to include patients in the trial.

Background and aim: A 12 month, multicentre, randomised, double blind, placebo controlled, phase 3, dose-response study was carried out. Exisulind inhibits tumour growth by induction of apoptosis. The aim of our study was to investigate if exisulind induces regression of sporadic colonic adenomas. Patients and methods: A 12 month multicentre randomised double blind placebo controlled phase 3 dose response study was carried out. At baseline colonoscopy, left sided polyps (3-10 mm) were tattooed, measured, and left in place. Subjects received exisulind 200 or 400 mg, or placebo daily. Follow up sigmoidoscopy was performed after six months, and removal of any remaining polyps at the 12 month colonoscopy. The primary efficacy variable was change in polyp size from baseline. Results: A total of 281 patients were enrolled and randomised, 155 (55%) fulfilled the criteria for the intention to treat (ITT) analysis and 114 (41%) fulfilled the criteria for the efficacy evaluation analysis (patients who underwent the 12 month colonoscopy). The decrease in median polyp size was significantly greater (p = 0.03) in patients who received exisulind 400 mg (-10 mm2) compared with those who received placebo (-4 mm2). Complete or partial response was significantly higher in the exisulind 400 mg group (54.6%) compared with the placebo group (30.2%), and disease progression was significantly lower (6.1% v 27.9%) (p = 0.04 and 0.02, respectively). Increased liver enzymes (8.4%) and abdominal pain (14.7%) were also reported at a greater frequency in the exisulind 400 mg group. Conclusion: Exisulind caused significant regression of sporadic adenomatous polyps but was associated with more toxicity. This model of polyp regression, short in its term and involving a comparatively small patient sample size, may be the best available tool to assess a therapeutic regimen before launching into large preventive clinical studies.

Anal pathology occurs in 20 to 80 percent of patients with Crohn’s disease in which abscesses, fistulas, and fissures account for considerable morbidity. The etiology is not clearly defined, but altered anorectal pressures may play a role. This study was designed to investigate anorectal physiologic conditions in patients with Crohn’s disease compared with healthy controls. METHODS: Twenty patients with Crohn’s disease located in the ileum (n = 9) or the colon (n = 11) without macroscopic proctitis or perianal disease were included. All were subjected to rectal examination, anorectal manometry, manovolumetry, and rectoscopy. Comparison was made with a reference group of 173 healthy controls of whom 128 underwent anorectal manometry, 29 manovolumetry, and 16 both examinations. RESULTS: Maximum resting pressure and resting pressure area were higher in patients than in controls (P = 0.017 and P = 0.011, respectively), whereas maximum squeeze pressure and squeeze pressure area were similar. Rectal sensitivity was increased in patients expressed as lower values both for volume and pressure for urge (P = 0.013 and P = 0.014, respectively) as well as maximum tolerable pressure (P = 0.025). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates how patients with Crohn’s disease without macroscopic proctitis have increased anal pressures in conjunction with increased rectal sensitivity. This may contribute to later development of anal pathology, because increased intra-anal pressures may compromise anal circulation, causing fissures, and also discharging of fecal matter into the perirectal tracts, which may have a role in infection and fistula development.

Objective. To evaluate the complications of the temporary loop ileostomy. Method. A retrospective study of 222 consecutive patients with low anterior resection, ileal pouch-anal anastomosis or continent ileostomy and a diverting loop ileostomy routinely fashioned during the primary operation. The loop ileostomy was closed in 213 patients (96%) during the minimum follow-up period of 15 months. Results. Four patients (2%) required preterm closure of the ostomy due to stomal retraction (n = 3) or bowel obstruction (n = 1). Four patients were readmitted due to transient bowel obstruction that resolved without surgery. After closure of the loop ileostomy a total of 27 patients (13%) had complications. In 7 patients emergency re-operation was done due to small bowel obstruction (n = 5) or intra-abdominal abscess (n = 2). Elective re-operation was done in 5 patients for hernia at the site of the previous stoma. Despite the use of a loop ileostomy there was 1 postoperative death after the initial operation in consequence of anastomotic leakage. There was 1 death in consequence of closure of the loop ileostomy after 3 weeks due to intra-abdominal sepsis and heart failure. Conclusion. In this series closure of the ostomy was associated with one death (0.5%) and overall ostomy-related morbidity included the need to re-operate in 6%.

This study describes how surgery for Crohn colitis developed between 1970 and 1997, towards the end of which period limited resection and medical maintenance treatment was introduced.A cohort of 211 patients with Crohn colitis (115 population-based), of which 84 had a primary colonic resection (42 population-based), was investigated regarding indication for surgery, the time from diagnosis to operation, type of primary colonic resection, risk for permanent stoma and medication over four 7-year periods.Comparison of the periods 1970-90 and 1991-97 revealed that active disease as an indication for surgery decreased from 64% to 25% (P0.01) while stricture as an indication increased from 9% to 50% (P0.001). Median time from diagnosis to operation increased from 3.5 to 11.5 years (P0.01). Proctocolectomy or colectomy fell from 68.8% to 10% of the primary resections, whereas segmental resection increased from 31.2% to 90%. At the end of the first 7-year period, 26% had medical maintenance treatment, steroids or azathioprine taken by 7%. Corresponding figures for the last period were 70% and 49%. Patients diagnosed during the last two time-periods had less risk for surgery (P = 0.017), permanent stoma (P0.01) and total colectomy (P0.01). Findings were similar in the population-based cohort.Current management of Crohn colitis implies a longer period between diagnosis and surgery, a reduced risk for surgery and permanent stoma, and the replacement of total colectomy by segmental resection.

The study aimed to describe and follow a 2 year cohort of colon cancer patients with Stage IV disease from presentation to long-term outcome.The records of 177 colon cancer patients diagnosed in southeast Sweden during 2009-2010 with disseminated disease at presentation were reviewed retrospectively.The patients were heterogeneous with respect to age, performance status and survival. Despite metastatic disease, local symptoms from the primary tumour dominated the initial clinical picture. Forty-one per cent had anaemia. The time from suspicion of colon cancer to established diagnosis of disseminated disease varied from 0 to 231 days (emergency cases included, median 12 days). The majority (77%) were diagnosed in hospital. In 53% the primary tumour and the metastases were not diagnosed on the same occasion which may increase the risk for misinformation or delays in the care process. The possibility of simultaneous diagnosis was doubled when the patient was investigated as an inpatient. Patients were seen by one to 12 physicians (median three) in the investigation phase, and one to 47 (median 11) from diagnosis until the last record in the hospital notes. The 1-year survival was 46%.Patients with metastatic colon cancer at presentation are heterogeneous and warrant an adapted multidisciplinary approach to achieve the goal of individualized treatment for each patient in accordance with the Swedish national cancer strategy.

PURPOSE: Electrical sacral root stimulation induces defecation in spinal cord injury patients and is currently under examination as a new therapy for fecal incontinence. In contrast to electrical stimulation, magnetic stimulation is noninvasive. To gain more insight into the mechanism of action of sacral root stimulation, we studied the effects of magnetic sacral root stimulation on anorectal pressure and volume in both fecal incontinence and spinal cord injury patients. METHODS: Three groups were examined: 14 healthy volunteers, 18 fecal incontinence patients, and 14 spinal cord injury patients. Repetitive magnetic sacral root stimulation was performed bilaterally using bursts of five seconds at 5 Hz. Anal and rectal pressure changes and rectal volume changes were measured. RESULTS: An increase in anal pressure was seen in 100 percent of the control subjects, in 86 percent of the spinal cord injury patients, and in 73 percent of the fecal incontinence patients (P=0.03). The overall median pressure rise after right-sided and left-sided stimulation was 12 (interquartile range, 8–18.5) and 13 (interquartile range, 6–18) mmHg at the mid anal level. A decrease in rectal volume was provoked in 72 percent of the control subjects, in 79 percent of the spinal cord injury patients, and in 50 percent of the fecal incontinence patients. Overall median volume changes after right-sided and left-sided stimulation were 10 (range, 5–22) and 9 (range, 5–21) percent from baseline volume. An increase in rectal pressure could be measured in 56 percent of the control subjects, 77 percent of the fecal incontinence patients, and 43 percent of the spinal cord injury patients. Median pressure rises after right-sided and left-sided stimulation were 5 (range, 3–12) and 5 (range, 3–5) mmHg. CONCLUSIONS: Magnetic sacral root stimulation produces an increase in anal and rectal pressure and a decrease in rectal volume in healthy subjects and patients with fecal incontinence or a spinal cord injury.

PURPOSE: The aim of this controlled study was to examine whether it was feasible to use magnetic stimulation as a new diagnostic tool to evaluate the motor function of the sacral roots and the pudendal nerves in patients with fecal incontinence. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Nineteen consecutive patients (17 females) with a median age of 67 (range, 36–78) years referred for fecal incontinence and 14 healthy volunteers (six females) with a median age of 42 (range, 23–69) years were examined. Latency times of the motor response of the external anal sphincter were measured after electric transrectal stimulation of the pudendal nerve and magnetic stimulation of the sacral roots. RESULTS: The success rates of pudendal nerve terminal motor latency and sacral root terminal motor latency measurements were 100 and 85 percent, respectively, in the control group and 94 and 81 percent, respectively, in the fecal incontinence group. Median left pudendal nerve terminal motor latency was 1.88 (range, 1.4–2.9) milliseconds in the control group and 2.3 (range, 1.8–4) milliseconds in the fecal incontinence group (P

Pouchitis is the major long-term complication of restorative proctocolectomy for ulcerative colitis (UC). Allopurinol is a scavenger of oxygen-derived free radicals, which it is suggested play a role in the development of UC and pouchitis. The first aim was to test the hypothesis that the incidence of pouchitis can be reduced by prophylactic Allopurinol, and secondly to evaluate if Allopurinol influences the overall pouch function.273 patients with UC who were planned for proctocolectomy and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis at 12 centres in Sweden between October 1994 and June 1997 were offered the opportunity to participate. 184 patients (67%) were randomized to receive postoperative prophylactic Allopurinol 100 mg twice daily or placebo. All 273 patients had clinical and endoscopic follow-up at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24 months after surgery.Of the 184 randomized patients, 94 were randomized to Allopurinol and 90 to placebo; 116 patients (63%) completed follow-up and the crude incidence of pouchitis among those patients fullfilling the protocol was 31% in the Allopurinol group and 28% in the placebo group (ns). The cumulative risk for a first attack of pouchitis was 30% and 26% after 24 months (ns). The overall pouch function improved over time and did not differ significantly between the two groups.Prophylactic Allopurinol did not reduce the risk of a first attack of pouchitis.

Background: Reports that both intestinal and extraintestinal Crohn’s disease (CD) had healed successfully after treatment with anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) antibody have strengthened the hypothesis that it has a role in the treatment of CD. The macrophage is one source of TNF-α. Intestinal mast cells are also thought to have a role in CD, but it is not known if human ileal mast cells express TNF-α. Aim: To find out whether TNF-α is expressed by mast cells in the ileal wall in CD patients and controls. Methods: TNF-α was sought immunohistochemically in full thickness specimens of ileal wall from patients with CD (histologically normal, n = 9; inflamed, n = 6) and controls (patients with colonic cancer, n = 8). Mast cells were identified by metachromasia and anti-mast cell tryptase immunoreactivity. Results: In all layers of the ileal wall, and in every specimen investigated, mast cells were the main cell type that expressed TNF-α immunoreactivity out of the TNF-α-labelled cells. The number of TNF-α- labelled mast cells was greater in the muscularis propria in patients compared with controls, both in uninflamed (1.7-fold, p < 0.05) and in inflamed bowel (4.6-fold, p < 0.002); greater in the submucosa in inflamed compared with uninflamed CD (1.6-fold, p < 0.01), and less in the lamina propria in inflamed compared with uninflamed CD (0.4-fold, p < 0.05). Conclusion: Mast cells are an important source of TNF-α in all layers of the ileal wall, and the increased density of TNF-α-positive mast cells in the submucosa and muscularis propria may contribute to the tissue changes and symptoms in CD.

Background & Aims: Crohn's disease (CD) is associated with a disturbed intestinal barrier. Permeability studies have focused on inert molecules, but little is known about transepithelial transport of macromolecules with antigenic potential in humans. The aim of this study was to quantify permeation and to characterize passage routes for macromolecules in ileal mucosa in CD. Methods: Noninflamed and inflamed ileal mucosa specimens from patients with CD (n = 12) and ileal specimens from patients with colon cancer (n = 7) were studied regarding transmucosal permeation of ovalbumin, dextran (mol wt, 40,000), and 51 Cr-EDTA for 90 minutes in vitro in Ussing chambers. Transepithelial passage routes for fluorescent ovalbumin and dextran 40,000 were investigated by confocal microscopy. Results: Noninflamed ileum from CD patients showed increased permeation of ovalbumin compared with ileum from colon cancer patients ( P 51 Cr-EDTA permeability was increased in inflamed ileum. Ovalbumin passed both transcellularly and paracellularly, but dextran followed a strictly paracellular route. Both markers were subsequently endocytosed by cells of the lamina propria. Conclusions: Noninflamed ileal mucosa from patients with CD shows increased epithelial permeability to ovalbumin, probably by augmented transcytosis. This increase in antigen load to the lamina propria could be an initiating pathogenic event in CD. GASTROENTEROLOGY 1999;117:65-72

BackgroundA familial defect in intestinal barrier function has been found in Crohn’s disease.AimTo investigate possible genetic and environmental influences on this barrier defect by studying intestinal permeability in both relatives and spouses of patients with Crohn’s disease.SubjectsThe study included 39 patients with Crohn’s disease, 34 healthy first degree relatives, and 22 spouses. Twenty nine healthy volunteers served as controls.MethodsIntestinal permeability was assessed as the lactulose:mannitol ratio in five hour urinary excretion after oral load, both before (baseline) and after ingestion of acetylsalicylic acid. The permeability response represents the difference between the two tests. A ratio above the 95th percentile for controls was classified as abnormal.ResultsBaseline permeability was higher in patients and spouses than in controls. An abnormal baseline permeability was seen in 36% of the patients, 23% of the spouses, 18% of the relatives, and 3% of the controls. After ingestion of acetylsalicylic acid, permeability increased significantly in all groups. Relatives were similar to patients with regard to permeability after exposure to acetylsalicylic acid, whereas spouses were similar to controls. The proportions with an abnormal permeability response to acetylsalicylic acid were 32% in patients, 14% in spouses, 41% in relatives, and 3% in controls.ConclusionThe findings suggest that baseline permeability is determined by environmental factors, whereas permeability provoked by acetylsalicylic acid is a function of the genetically determined state of the mucosal barrier, and support the notion that environmental and hereditary factors interact in the pathogenesis of Crohn’s disease.

The study aimed at applying closed segmentalintestinal perfusion with a multichannel tube(Loc-I-Gut) for studies of regional small bowelpermeability to different-sized polyethylene glycols andto compare jejunal absorption with absorption after oralload in healthy subjects. Intestinal perfusion wasperformed in 10 healthy volunteers and recovery of14C-labeled polyethylene glycol 4000 was usedto detect leakage. Absorption of polyethylene glycols546-942 was measured as urinary recovery after perfusionand oral load, and as disappearance from the lumenduring steady-state perfusion. Steady-state conditions were obtained during the second hour ofperfusion. Absorption of polyethylene glycols duringperfusion was size-selective for molecular weights546-766, but not for 810-942. After oral load,absorption was size-selective throughout 546-942.Segmental perfusion with Loc-I-Gut may be used to studyregional jejunal permeability. Our data support thehypothesis of a dual pore system for absorption ofhydrophilic molecules in the human jejunum.

Background: The patients in this study formed part of a multicentre randomized trial comparing the straight and colonic pouch anastomoses after rectal excision for cancer. The trial reflected an advantage of the pouch group regarding frequency, urgency and incontinence. We hypothesized that such differences in bowel function would be reflected in a general quality of life score. Methods: Forty-five patients were randomized. The Nottingham Health Profile was used to measure health-related quality of life before and 1 year after surgery. Results: There was no difference in quality of life score when the two groups were compared. When calculating the relative change after surgery, there was an improvement in both groups regarding the total score of the Profile (P< 0.0001). Conclusions: The Nottingham Health Profile was effective in showing an improvement in quality of life in both groups after surgery. The observed difference in clinical bowel function was not, however, reflected in an improved quality of li...

OBJECTIVE. In patients with colon cancer, high age and comorbidity is common. In this population-based retrospective study we have investigated causes of death and the influence of urgent operation, and gender on survival. MATERIAL AND METHODS. Medical records of 413 patients with verified colon cancer were reviewed. The diagnosis was made during 2000-2006 and operation was performed in 385 patients (93%). RESULTS. The overall 5-year survival after surgery was 48.3%. At the end of the follow-up, 128 patients (54.9%) had verified colon cancer when they died but 105 patients (45.1%) had no signs of colon cancer. Their 5-year survival was 5.5% and 41.9%, respectively (p < 0.0001). Median survival time was significantly shorter after urgent compared with elective admittance, 20.7 months versus 77.9 months, and the 5-year survival 32.4% versus 57.9% (p = 0.0001). The tumor stage at operation was more favorable in patients dying with no signs of colon cancer than in those dying with cancer regarding stage I-II (66.7% versus 16.4%), and stage IV (1.0% versus 53.1%), but not regarding stage III (30.5% versus 29.7%). The overall survival in women who were operated was longer than in men (p = 0.045) as well as survival after elective admittance (p = 0.013). CONCLUSION. After a median follow-up of 56.1 months almost half of the patients who were dead had died from other causes than colon cancer. Ten percent of those patients had an incorrectly reported diagnosis of colon cancer as cause of death. Urgent admittance was associated with reduced survival time. The median survival time was longer in women than in men.

A characteristic feature of colorectal cancer genesis is its stepwise progression, which offers unique possibilities for studying its development. There are two principal kinds of mutation leading to uncontrolled cell proliferation and cancer. The first renders a stimulatory gene hyperactive--generation of an oncogene--and the second is the inactivation of a tumour suppressor gene. Current knowledge suggest that the change from normal mucosa to a small adenoma may be mediated by mutations of the APC gene and MCC gene on chromosome 5, by chromosome 5 deletion, by c-myc activation, and by DNA hypomethylation. The development to a large adenoma may be caused by Ki-ras mutation and further change to a dysplastic adenoma by deletion of the DCC gene on chromosome 18. The ability to become an invasive carcinoma may then be mediated by p53 mutations and deletion of chromosome 17p. Identification of genetic markers for metastatic disease is under progress.

The activity of platelet-activating factor (PAF) acetylhydrolase in biopsy specimens of intestinal mucosa was compared in patients with Crohn's disease (n = 11) and controls (n = 6). In addition, PAF acetylhydrolase activity was determined in the plasma of Crohn patients (n = 30) and healthy subjects (n = 35). The activity of PAF acetylhydrolase in mucosal samples from the distal ileum was significantly lower in Crohn patients than in control patients (p0.02), whereas there was no difference in PAF acetylhydrolase activity of colonic or jejunal samples between Crohn patients and controls. The PAF acetylhydrolase activity in the plasma of Crohn patients was significantly decreased as compared to healthy subjects. Crohn patients with high disease activity (symptomatic index150) had a significantly lower PAF acetylhydrolase activity in plasma, as compared to patients in clinical remission (symptomatic index150; p0.02), and as compared to healthy subjects (p0.001). PAF acetylhydrolase activity in plasma increased within 4 months after bowel resection (p0.05). These findings indicate that the PAF acetylhydrolase activity is decreased in the ileal mucosa of patients with Crohn's disease and that PAF acetylhydrolase activity in plasma is inversely related to disease activity in Crohn's disease. The possibility that PAF acetylhydrolase is one factor of importance for protecting the intestinal mucosa against PAF-mediated inflammation is inferred.

Increased activity of phospholipase A2 (PLA2) in the ileal mucosa may contribute to the inflammation in Crohn's disease. The results of this study showed that (a) three months after ileocolonic resection for Crohn's disease the neoterminal ileal mucosa showed endoscopically new inflammation and had higher PLA2 activity than at the time of the operation (n = 8); no such findings were seen in controls (n = 7), (b) histologically normal ileal mucosa (n = 3) contained mRNA for three isoforms of PLA2 (PLA2-I, PLA2-II, and cPLA2), but the amounts of PLA2-II mRNA clearly exceeded the amounts of mRNA for PLA2-I and cPLA2, (c) ileal mucosa from Crohn's patients (n = 2) contained higher values of PLA2-II mRNA than ileal mucosa from two controls, (d) ileal mucosa from Crohn's patients (n = 4) showed increased PLA2-II mRNA three months after ileocolonic resection. In conclusion, these results show that the predominating PLA2 mRNA in the human ileal mucosa is type II PLA2, and the increased synthesis of PLA2-II might be responsible for the increased PLA2 activity found in the ileal mucosa accompanying recurrent ileal inflammation in Crohn's disease.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to investigate incidence, treatment, and outcome for patients with colorectal cancer. METHODS: From 1984 to 1986 in Ostergotland, a county in Sweden with a defined population, a prospective registration using a computerized protocol was undertaken. RESULTS: In the surgical departments 596 cases were diagnosed and 31 more cases were diagnosed in other departments, bringing the incidence to 53 cases per 100,000 inhabitants per year. Of the cases, 14 percent presented as emergencies. The resectability rate was 90 percent, and the rate of curative operations was 74 percent. Postoperative mortality within 30 days was 2.9 percent. Crude five-year survival for all patients was 40 percent, and the corrected survival rate was 53 percent. After curative resection the crude five-year survival rate was 53 percent, and the corrected survival rate was 70 percent. Prognosis was better for colon than for rectal cancer, 76 percent vs.59 percent corrected five-year survival rate. For rectal cancer the local recurrence rate was 20 percent after curative resection. CONCLUSIONS: The prognosis was improved compared with a previous study from the same area because of decreased postoperative mortality, increased rate of operations for cure, and an increased five-year corrected survival rate. Local recurrence after rectal cancer was still high but may be reduced with improved surgical technique.

The relationships between intraoperative endoscopic findings, exterior bowel wall changes and transmural histopathology were investigated in 23 patients with Crohn's disease (24 resections). Villous atrophy and leucocyte infiltration of the epithelium, lamina propria and submucosa were common in intestine without endoscopic lesions. Minor endoscopic ulcers were associated with leucocyte infiltration, ulcers and pyloric metaplasia, and large endoscopic ulcers and stricture with severe transmural inflammation, fibrosis and fissures. In ileal Crohn's disease (19 resections), correlation was close between endoscopic stage and histopathology (rs = 0·77, P

Phospholipase A2 (EC 3.1.1.4) is a key enzyme in inflammation and is thought to play an important part in inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. To investigate the nature and regulation of phospholipase A2 activity in the gastrointestinal mucosa, the distribution of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) for group II phospholipase A2 in various parts of the rat gastrointestinal tract was studied, as well as the influence of endotoxin or dexamethasone, or both, on the group I and II phospholipase A2 mRNA expression and activity in the rat glandular stomach and distal ileum. The results show that (a) group II phospholipase A2 is present along the whole gastrointestinal tract, but in particularly large amounts in the distal ileum, (b) endotoxin increases group II, but not group I, phospholipase A2 mRNA expression in the glandular stomach and distal ileum, and (c) dexamethasone reduces the endotoxin induced increases in group II phospholipase mRNA expression and activity in the gastrointestinal mucosa. These findings suggest that phospholipase A2 of type II is a mediator of endotoxin effects in the gastrointestinal mucosa and that its expression at the mRNA level can be inhibited by corticosteroids.

The aim of this study was to obtain a classification of peristomal bulging based on findings at ultrasonography in patients with a sigmoid colostomy.The patient material comprised 30 men and 33 women. The median age was 69 years (28-90) and the median time between stoma creation and investigation was 68 months (3-426). Any bulging was measured, and the abdominal opening for the stoma bowel was evaluated at the clinical examination. At the ultrasonographic investigation, the patients were first investigated in the supine position to measure the transverse and vertical diameter of the abdominal opening and the thickness of the abdominal muscles.Three types of ultrasonographic findings were identified. In ultra-I, the stoma bowel was completely fixed or showed telescoping-like movement through the abdominal opening. In ultra-II, fatty tissue was prolapsed together with the stoma bowel forming a bend in the subcutaneous tissue. In ultra-III, another bowel segment or fatty tissue passed beside the stoma bowel through the abdominal opening into the abdominal wall. A normal finding without any bulging at the clinical examination was associated with a smaller area and a smaller diameter of the abdominal opening than the area and diameter in patients with a visible peristomal bulging. There was no difference in the thickness of the muscle layer of the abdominal wall between patients with and without bulging.Ultrasonography can make a dynamic diagnosis of parastomal hernia. In patients with visible peristomal bulging, the area of the abdominal opening is increased but there is no decrease in the thickness of the muscles of the abdominal wall.

When a hernia becomes symptomatic with pain, obstruction, or mechanical distortion, need for a repair is likely. In this short note are new aspects on the Onlay mesh repair technique of parastomal hernias presented. The satisfactory results achieved in 5 patients are reported. One recurrence required a further successful repair.

The aim of this study was to assess the risk for permanent stoma after low anterior resection of the rectum for cancer.In a nationwide multicenter trial 234 patients undergoing low anterior resection of the rectum were randomly assigned to a group with defunctioning stomas (n = 116) or a group with no defunctioning stomas (n = 118). The median age was 68 years, 45% of the patients were women, 79% had preoperative radiotherapy, and 4% had International Union Against Cancer cancer stage IV. The patients were analyzed with regard to the presence of a permanent stoma, the type of stoma, the time point at which the stoma was constructed or considered as permanent, and the reasons for obtaining a permanent stoma. Median follow-up was 72 months (42-108). One patient with a defunctioning stoma who died within 30 days after the rectal resection was excluded from the analysis.During the study period 19% (45/233) of the patients obtained a permanent stoma: 25 received an end sigmoid stoma and 20 received a loop ileostomy. The end sigmoid stomas were constructed at a median of 22 months (1-71) after the low anterior resection of the rectum, and the loop ileostomies were considered as permanent at a median of 12.5 months (1-47) after the initial rectal resection. The reasons for loop ileostomy were metastatic disease (n = 6), unsatisfactory anorectal function (n = 6), deteriorated general medical condition (n = 3), new noncolorectal cancer (n = 2), patient refusal of further surgery (n = 2), and chronic constipation (n = 1). Reasons for end sigmoid stoma were unsatisfactory anorectal function (n = 22) and urgent surgery owing to anastomotic leakage (n = 3). The risk for permanent stomas in patients with symptomatic anastomotic leakage was 56% (25/45) compared with 11% (20/188) in those without symptomatic anastomotic leakage (P.001).One patient of 5 ended up with a permanent stoma after low anterior resection of the rectum for cancer, and half of the patients with a permanent stoma had previous symptomatic anastomotic leakage.

Colono-ileoscopy was performed on 11 patients after ileocolic resection for Crohn's disease, to observe development of recurrent anastomotic inflammation and its relationship to mucosal phospholipase A2 (EC 3.1.1.4) activity. Ileal inflammation appeared soon after surgery in eight cases but in none of nine controls with noninflammatory bowel disease. The ileal inflammation was more severe 1-3 cm above than greater than 5 cm above the ileocolic junction (p less than 0.05), whereas the postanastomotic colonic mucosa remained unchanged. Ileal phospholipase A2 activity in the mucosa was equally raised at the two ileal sites (p less than 0.01 and less than 0.02), irrespective of the presence or absence of inflammation. In colonic postanastomotic mucosa the phospholipase A2 activity was the same as in the controls. Further followup showed preanastomotic ileal inflammation at both investigated levels in all patients with Crohn's disease but still with greater severity close to the mucosal junction (p less than 0.05). The study indicates that recurrent inflammation in Crohn's disease is initiated in the terminal ileum close to the ileocolic junction. Progression of severity is accompanied by greater proximal involvement. The increase in mucosal phospholipase A2 activity, which precedes endoscopically detectable inflammation, implies a role for this enzyme in Crohn's disease.

Traditionally the distance between the inner opening and the anal verge is considered when making the decision to lay open an anal fistula or not. In contrast to this, the score presented here includes the distance to the upper border of the puborectalis muscle or to the external sphincter (anteriorly). In addition this score also takes various aspects of bowel function into consideration.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to investigate, in a population-based setting, the surgical outcome in patients with rectal cancer according to the hospital volume. METHODS: Since 1995 all patients with rectal cancer have been registered in the Swedish Rectal Cancer Registry. Hospitals were classified, according to number treated per year, as low-volume, intermediate-volume, or high-volume hospitals ( 25 procedures per year). Postoperative mortality, reoperation rate within 30 days, local recurrence rate, and overall five-year survival were studied. For postoperative morbidity and mortality the whole cohort from 1995 to 2003 (n = 10,425) was used. For cancer-related outcome only, those with five-year follow-ups, from 1995 to 1998, were used (n = 4,355). RESULTS: In this registry setting the postoperative mortality rate was 3.6% in low-volume hospitals, and 2.2% in intermediate-volume and high-volume hospitals (P = 0.002). The reoperation rate was 10%, with no differences according to volume. The overall local recurrence rates were 9.4%, 9.3%, and 7.5%, respectively (P = 0.06). Significant difference was found among the nonirradiated patients (P = 0.004), but not among the irradiated patients (P = 0.45). No differences were found according to volume in the absolute five-year survival. CONCLUSION: Postoperative mortality and local recurrence in nonirradiated patients were lower in high-volume hospitals. No difference was seen between volumes in reoperation rates, overall local recurrence, or absolute five-year survival.

The aim of this study was to investigate patients with symptomatic anastomotic leakage diagnosed after hospital discharge.Patients (n = 234) undergoing low anterior resection of the rectum for cancer who were included in a prospective multicentre trial (NCT 00636948) and who developed symptomatic anastomotic leakage diagnosed after hospital discharge (late leakage, LL; n = 18) were identified. Patient characteristics, operative details, recovery on postoperative day 5, length of hospital stay, and how the leakage was diagnosed were recorded. A comparison with those who did not develop symptomatic leakage (no leakage, NL; n = 189) was made. The minimum follow up was 24 months.In the LL patients the median age was 69 years, 61% were female patients, and 6% had stage IV cancer disease. On postoperative day 5, the LL group had a postoperative course similar to the NL group regarding temperature, oral intake and bowel function. The proportion of patients on antibiotic treatment on postoperative day 5, regardless of indication, was 28% in the LL compared with 4% in the NL group (P0.001). The median initial hospital stay was 10 days for both groups. When readmission for any reason was added, the hospital stay rose to a median of 21.5 and 13 days in the LL and the NL groups respectively (P0.001).Symptomatic anastomotic leakage diagnosed after hospital discharge following low anterior resection of the rectum for cancer is not uncommon and has an immediate clinical postoperative course which may appear uneventful.

The aim of the study was to assess recto-vaginal fistula (RVF) after anterior resection of the rectum for cancer with regard to occurrence and risk factors.All female patients [median age 69.5 years, Union Internationale centre le Cancer (UICC) cancer stage IV in 10%] who developed a symptomatic RVF (n = 20) after anterior resection of the rectum for cancer from three separate cohorts of patients were identified and compared with those who developed conventional symptomatic leakage (n = 32), and those who did not leak (n = 338). Patient demography and perioperative data were compared between these three groups. Fourteen patient-related and surgery-related variables thought to be possible risk factors for RVF (anastomotic-vaginal fistula) were analysed.Symptomatic anastomotic leakage occurred in 52 (13.3%) of 390 patients. Twenty (5.1%) had an anastomotic-vaginal fistula (AVF) and 32 (8.2%) conventional leakage (CL). Patients with AVF required unscheduled re-operation and defunctioning stoma as often as those with CL. AVF was diagnosed later and more often after discharge from hospital compared with CL. Patients with AVF had lower anastomoses and decreased BMI compared with those with CL. Risk factors for AVF in multivariate analysis were anastomosis5 cm above the anal verge (P = 0.001), preoperative radiotherapy (P = 0.004), and UICC cancer stage IV (P = 0.005). Previous hysterectomy was a risk factor neither for AVF nor for CL.Anastomotic-vaginal fistula forms a significant part of all symptomatic leakages after low anterior resection for cancer in women. Although diagnosed later, the need for abdominal re-operation and defunctioning stoma was not different from patients with CL. Risk factors for AVF included low anastomosis, preoperative radiotherapy and UICC cancer stage IV.

This study demonstrates the ability of phospholipase C from Clostridium perfringens to stimulate the generation of platelet-activating factor (PAF-acether) in cultured intestinal epithelial cells (INT 407). Cells were exposed to phospholipase C for up to 60 min, and the content of PAF-acether within the cells and in the extracellular medium was determined. Phospholipase C caused a time-dependent formation of PAF-acether within the cells and also release of PAF-acether to the medium. In contrast, phospholipase C did not affect the cellular acetylhydrolase activity or the ability of the cells to metabolize extracellularly added 14C-PAF-acether. These findings suggest the possibility that intestinal epithelial cells, when stimulated with a naturally occurring intestinal bacterial toxin, generate and release PAF-acether. The possibility that this might contribute to the pathophysiology of inflammatory bowel disease is discussed.

Peristomal bulging caused by hernia or prolapse is common in patients with a sigmoidostomy. It is not known whether and to what extent peristomal bulging influences various daily activities. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of bulging by using a general and disease-specific health scale (Short Health Scale, SHS) and a stoma-specific quality of life (Stoma-QoL) questionnaire in patients with and without peristomal bulging.Seventy patients with sigmoidostomies were examined to identify peristomal bulging. The mean (SD) age was 71.7 (13.7) years and the patients had had their sigmoidostomies for a mean of 8.1 (7.9) years. Bulging was noticed in 46 patients (66%) while 24 had no bulging.It was found that patients with bulging were at a disadvantage. In the SHS, patients with bulging reported significantly impaired QoL in 3 out of 4 scales regarding symptom load, worry and general sense of well-being. Also, in the Stoma-QoL questionnaire there was a significant difference between patients with and those without bulging.QoL evaluated with a general and disease-specific instrument (SHS) was significantly impaired in patients with bulging around a sigmoidostomy. The Stoma-QoL questionnaire showed a small but statistically significant difference between patients with and those without bulging but the clinical significance is uncertain. Further studies are required to evaluate the role of some of the individual items in the Stoma-QoL questionnaire.

Peritoneal permeability to fluorescein-isothiocyanate-conjugated (FITC) dextran, mol wt 10,000 was studied in acute experimental pancreatitis (AEP) in rats. The aim of the study was to elucidate the role of the pancreatitis ascites and its phospholipase A2 activity on the observed peritoneal permeability increase during AEP. Phospholipase A2 activity of ascites was 40 U/microL 1 h after the induction of AEP and decreased during the next 3 h gradually to a plateau of about 20 U/microL, where it remained to the end of the experiment at 24 h. A similar pattern was seen for protein, amylase, and lipase although the initial peak was most pronounced for lipase. Pancreatitis ascites did not--irrespective of its age (1 or 20 h) or incubation time (3-20 h)--affect the peritoneal transport of FITC dextran 10,000 in healthy rats. Similarly, intravenously-administered ascites and intraperitoneal instillation of pancreatic phospholipase A2 dissolved in saline were without effects. On the other hand, in another group of healthy animals, phospholipase dissolved in fresh pancreatitis ascites caused a statistically significant increase of peritoneal transport, as defined. In rats with pancreatitis, the addition of phospholipase A2 to the peritoneal fluid increased peritoneal transport of FITC dextran 10,000 as well as phospholipase A2 itself. We conclude that phospholipase A2 when instilled into the peritoneal cavity in the presence of pancreatitis ascites, has the ability to increase peritoneal permeability to FITC dextran 10,000 in healthy, as well as in pancreatitis rats. However, the phospholipase A2 activity of rat pancreatitis ascites is not sufficient for this mechanism to work. This, however, does not exclude its existence in other species, including humans.

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in the Western world. Staging based on histopathology is currently the most accurate predictor of outcome after surgery. Colorectal cancer is curable if treated at an early stage (stage I-III). However, for tumors in stages II and III there is a great need for tests giving more accurate prognostic information defining the patient population in need of closer follow-up and/or adjuvant therapy. Furthermore, tests that provide prognostic information preoperatively could provide a guide both for preoperative oncologic treatment and the surgical procedure.Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated preoperatively, within a week before primary surgery, from 39 patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer. The PBMCs were cultured in vitro for 24 hours in the presence of autologous serum and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Interleukin-6 (IL-6) production was measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Staging based on histopathology was performed in all patients. Patients were followed for at least 54 months.A production of5000 pg/mL of IL-6 identified colorectal cancer patients with a poor prognosis. Eight out of 13 patients with5000 pg/mL IL-6 died from cancer within the follow-up period, whereas no cancer-related deaths were recorded among 21 patients with 5000 pg/mL IL-6 or less. A multivariate Cox regression analysis, stratified for T- and N-stage, identified IL-6 production as an independent prognostic factor.IL-6 production in vitro by PBMC can predict survival after radical surgery for colorectal cancer.

Objective. Surgical technique and peri-operative management of rectal carcinoma have developed substantially in the last decades. Despite this, morbidity and mortality after anterior resection of the rectum are still important problems. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for anastomotic leakage in anterior resection and to assess the role of a temporary stoma and the need for urgent re-operations in relation to anastomotic leakage.Patients and methods. In a nine-year period, from 1987 to 1995, a total of 6833 patients underwent elective anterior resection of the rectum in Sweden. A random sample of 432 of these patients was analysed (sample size 6.3%). The associations between death and 10 patient-and surgery-related variables were studied by univariate and multivariate analysis. Data were obtained by review of the hospital files from all patients.Results. The incidence of symptomatic clinically evident anastomotic leakage was 12% (53/432). The 30-day mortality was 2.1% (140/6833). The rate of mortality associated with leakage was 7.5%. A temporary stoma was initially fashioned in 17% (72/432) of the patients, and 15% (11/72) with a temporary stoma had a clinical leakage, compared with 12% (42/360) without a temporary stoma, not significant. Multivariate analysis showed that low anastomosis (≤ 6 cm), pre-operative radiation, presence of intra-opcrative adverse events and male gender were independent risk factors for leakage. The risk for permanent stoma after leakage was 25%. Females with stoma leaked in 3% compared to men with stoma who leaked in 29%. The median hospital stay for patients Arithout leakage was 10 days (range 5-61 days) and for patients with leakage 22 days (3-110 days).Conclusion. In this population based study, 12% of the patients had symptomatic anastomotic leakage after anterior resection of the rectum. Postoperative 30-day mortality was 2.1%. Low anastomosis, pre-operative radiation, presence of intra-operative adverse events and male gender were independent risk factors for symptomatic anastomotic leakage in the multivariate analysis. There was no difference in the use of temporary stoma in patients with or without anastomotic leakage.

Background: The role of TNF-α in Crohn disease is now well established and anti-TNF-α is frequently used as a second- or third-line treatment. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is traditionally associated with macrophages but has recently also been found in mast cells of the ileal wall in patients with Crohn disease. As it is well known that mast cells and TNF-α play important roles in atopic manifestations like asthma, allergic rhinitis, and eczema the aim of this study was to investigate whether these are seen more commonly in Crohn patients than in the general population. Methods: Patients with Crohn disease (n = 308), aged 18-50 years, living in the Linkoping region in southeast Sweden, were asked to answer a questionnaire regarding the presence of any kind of atopic manifestations. The questionnaire was also sent to 930 controls collected from the Southeastern Region Population Registry. The controls were matched according to age, sex, and place of residence. Results: The response rate among the Crohn patients was 91% (280/308) and among controls 84% (779/930). Eczema was a significantly more frequent manifestation, being almost twice as common in Crohn patients (27%) as in the general population (16%). Adjustment by logistic regression for place of residence, gender, age and coexistence of any other atopic manifestation did not change the odds ratios significantly. Conclusion: Atopic manifestations as a group, and eczema as a single manifestation, are significantly more frequent in Crohn patients than in the general population.

A new device that measures pelvic floor movement clinically was evaluated. The device consists of a rectal balloon with a magnet at its exterior end. The magnet moves in an electromagnetic field synchronous with the pelvic floor movements. This movement is measured and displayed on a computer screen in front of the seated patient. Twenty-eight healthy volunteers (15 females) were examined. On a separate day, 17 of them were tested a second time by the same investigator and a third time by a different investigator. One volunteer developed a vasovagal reaction. The median (range) pelvic floor lift and descent was 2 (range, 0.6–4.5) cm and 1.8 (range, 0.5–5.6) cm respectively. Day-to-day and interobserver reproducibility was good. Coughing and blowing a party balloon caused pelvic floor descent in the majority of participants. Twenty of 28 volunteers were able to expel the rectal balloon. The device measures cranial and caudal movements of the pelvic floor with minimal discomfort and good reproducibility. The device may have a large potential as biofeedback device in pelvic floor training.

Several epidemiological studies have been published regarding the risk of Crohn's disease- associated colorectal cancer. The findings are, however, contradictory and it has been particularly difficult to obtain indisputable information on the incidence of cancer limited to the rectum and the anus. During 1987-2000 rectal or anal cancer was diagnosed in 335 patients in Sweden (153 males, 182 females). In other words, approximately 3 Crohn patients per million inhabitants were diagnosed with rectal or anal cancer every year during that time period which is 1% of the total number of cases. At diagnosis of cancer 36% were aged below 50 years and 58% below 60 years. Corresponding figures for all cases of anal and rectal cancer were 5% and 18%, respectively. Present knowledge from the literature implies that there is an increased risk of rectal and anal cancer only in Crohn's disease patients with severe proctitis or severe chronic perianal disease. However, the rectal remnant must also be considered a risk factor. Multimodal treatment is similar to that in sporadic cancer but proctectomy and total or partial colectomy is added depending on the extent of the Crohn's disease. The outcome is the same as in sporadic cancer at a corresponding stage but the prognosis is often poor due to the advanced stage of cancer at diagnosis. We suggest that six high-risk groups should be recommended annual surveillance after a duration of Crohn's disease of 15 years including extensive colitis, chronic severe anorectal disease, rectal remnant, strictures, bypassed segments and sclerosing cholangitis.

Objective All treatment in Crohn’s disease, although palliative, aims at restoring full health. The objective of this study was to compare health-related quality of life and psychosocial conditions in patients with Crohn’s proctocolitis with a general population. Patients and methods One hundred and twentyseven patients with Crohn’s proctocolitis (median age 44 years, 44.1% men) were compared with 266 controls (median age 45 years, 50.7% men). A questionnaire consisting of the Short Form-36 (SF-36), the Psychological General Well-Being Index (PGWB) and a visual analogue scale (VAS) evaluating general health as well as questions regarding psychosocial conditions was used. Disease activity was evaluated by Best’s modification of the classical Crohn’s Disease Activity Index. Results Patients in remission had a health related quality of life similar to controls according to the SF-36 apart from general health where scores were lower (P < 0.01). Patients with active disease scored lower in all aspects of the SF-36 (P < 0.001 or P < 0.0001) as well as the PGWB (P < 0.0001). In a model for multiple regression including age, gender, concomitant small bowel disease, permanent stoma, previous colonic surgery, disease activity, duration, and aggressiveness, disease activity was the only variable negatively predicting all 8 domains of the SF-36 in the patient group (P < 0.001). The mean annual sick-leave for patients and controls were 33.9 and 9.5 days (P < 0.0001), respectively. Sixty-eight percent of the patients and 78.4% of the controls (P ¼ 0.04) were married or cohabited, 67.7% and 78.0% (P ¼ 0.04), respectively, had children. Conclusion The health related quality of life for patients with Crohn’s proctocolitis in remission does not differ from the general population. The disease has, however, a negative impact on parenthood, family life and professional performance.