Suboptimal Guideline Adherence and Biomarker Underutilization in Monitoring of Post-operative Crohn’s Disease

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

  • Terry Li
  • Benjamin Click
  • Salam Bachour
  • Sachs, Michael Charles
  • Edward L. Barnes
  • Benjamin L. Cohen
  • Susell Contreras
  • Jordan Axelrad

Background: Crohn’s disease recurrence after ileocecal resection is common. Guidelines suggest colonoscopy within 6–12 months of surgery to assess for post-operative recurrence, but use of adjunctive monitoring is not protocolized. We aimed to describe the state of monitoring in post-operative Crohn’s. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of patients with Crohn’s after ileocolic resection with ≥ 1-year follow-up. Patients were stratified into high and low risk based on guidelines. Post-operative biomarker (C-reactive protein, fecal calprotectin), cross-sectional imaging, and colonoscopy use were assessed. Biomarker, radiographic, and endoscopic post-operative recurrence were defined as elevated CRP/calprotectin, active inflammation on imaging, and Rutgeerts ≥ i2b, respectively. Data were stratified by surgery year to assess changes in practice patterns over time. P-values were calculated using Wilcoxon test and Fisher exact test. Results: Of 901 patients, 53% were female and 78% high risk. Median follow-up time was 60 m for LR and 50 m for high risk. Postoperatively, 18% low and 38% high risk had CRPs, 5% low and 10% high risk had calprotectins, and half of low and high risk had cross-sectional imaging. 29% low and 38% high risk had colonoscopy by 1 year. Compared to pre-2015, time to first radiography (584 days vs. 398 days) and colonoscopy (421 days vs. 296 days) were significantly shorter for high-risk post-2015 (P < 0.001). Probability of colonoscopy within 1 year increased over time (0.48, 2011 vs. 0.92, 2019). Conclusion: Post-operative colonoscopy completion by 1 year is low. The use of CRP and imaging are common, whereas calprotectin is infrequently utilized. Practice patterns are shifting toward earlier monitoring.

Original languageEnglish
JournalDigestive Diseases and Sciences
Volume68
Pages (from-to)3596–3604
Number of pages9
ISSN0163-2116
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.

    Research areas

  • Biomarkers, C-reactive protein, Calprotectin, Crohn’s disease, Inflammatory bowel disease, Post-operative recurrence

ID: 362681191