Epidemiology and Natural History of Perianal Crohn's Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Population-Based Cohorts

Relatively higher-quality human studies compared with other topics in this database, e.g. multiple RCTs or systematic reviews. This does not mean it is standard or approved care.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Background and aims Perianal Crohn's disease (pCD) is a potentially severe phenotype of CD. We conducted a systematic review with meta-analysis to estimate cumulative incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of pCD in population-based cohort studies. Methods Through a systematic literature review through March 1, 2021, we identified population-based inception cohort studies reporting cumulative incidence of perianal disease (primarily abscess and/or fistula) in patients with CD. We estimated the cumulative incidence of pCD at presentation and 1-, 5-, and 10-year follow-up, and risk factors for perianal disease and outcomes including risk of major (bowel resection, proctectomy, ostomy) and minor perianal (incision and drainage, seton placement, etc.) surgery. Results In 12 population-based studies, prevalence of pCD was 18.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 12.5%-27.0%) with 1-, 5-, and 10-year risk of perianal disease being 14.3% (95% CI, 7.9%-24.6%), 17.6% (95% CI, 11.3%-26.5%), and 18.9% (95% CI, 15.0%-23.4%), respectively. Approximately 11.5% of patients (95% CI, 6.7%-19.0%) had perianal disease at or before CD diagnosis. Colonic disease location and rectal involvement were associated with higher risk of pCD. Overall, 63.3% of patients (95% CI, 53.3-72.3) required minor perianal surgery and 6.4% of patients (95% CI, 1.8%-20.6%) required major abdominal surgery for pCD. Use of bi

Evidence level

Relatively higher-quality human studies compared with other topics in this database, e.g. multiple RCTs or systematic reviews. This does not mean it is standard or approved care.

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