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. 2015 Jan-Mar;28(1):81-86.

Pediatric inflammatory bowel disease in Greece: 30-years experience of a single center

Konstantina Dimakou  1 , Ioanna Pachoula  1 , Ioanna Panayotou  1 , Kalliopi Stefanaki  2 , Irini Orfanou  1 , Evagelia Lagona  1 , Eleftheria Roma-Giannikou  1 , George Chouliaras  1
Affiliations

Pediatric inflammatory bowel disease in Greece: 30-years experience of a single center

Konstantina Dimakou et al. Ann Gastroenterol. 2015 Jan-Mar.

Abstract

Background: Significant advances have been made in the care of children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We aimed to describe the trends during the last 3 decades in the clinical presentation, management, and outcome of pediatric IBD at a single center.

Methods: Medical records of children with IBD referred to a pediatric gastroenterology unit from January 1981 to December 2011 were reviewed retrospectively.

Results: A total of 483 children were diagnosed with IBD, with mean age at diagnosis of 9.6 years (range 6 months - 18 years). Ulcerative colitis (UC) was diagnosed in 267 (55.2%), Crohn's disease (CD) in 167 (34.5%), and IBD unclassified (IBDU) in 49 (10.1%). Children with UC and IBDU were younger than those with CD [mean age at diagnosis 9.2, 8.9, and 10.5 years respectively; P (UC vs. CD)<0.01 and P (IBDU vs. CD)=0.028]. Patients received 5-ASA (96.6%), steroids (77.0%), thiopurines (50.2%), biological agents (14%), and 10% underwent surgical intervention. The cohort was divided into three subgroups according to the date of diagnosis; Group A: 1981-1989, Group B: 1990-1999, and Group C: 2000-2011. During the last two decades a significant increase in CD (Group A 18.5%, Group B 23.8%, Group C 48.8%; P<0.01) compared with the first decade with parallel decrease in UC (Group A 79.6%, Group B 71.9%, Group C 33.2%; P<0.001) was observed.

Conclusions: Most children received 5-ASA, steroids, and immunomodulators. Patients with UC and IBDU were younger than those with CD. A significant increase in CD with parallel decrease in UC during the last decade was found.

Keywords: Crohn’s disease; Keywords Ιnflammatory bowel disease; children; treatment; ulcerative colitis; unclassified IBD.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: None

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Mean diagnostic time lag over the study period Significant decrease in mean disease duration prior to diagnosis in CD patients during the last 2 decades (P=0.012)
Figure 2
Figure 2
Medication of the total IBD cohort and according to disease phenotype
Figure 3
Figure 3
Percentage of surgical intervention according to disease phenotype
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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