P327 Characteristics of esophago-gastro-duodenal Crohn’s disease in the biologic era: a nationwide study of the Young GETECCU Group
Authors: López García A , Benítez J M , Maroto-Martín C , Fernández-Prada S J , Marquina V , Rodríguez G E , Mesonero F , Lucendo A J , Flórez-Díez P , Casanova M J , García-Morales N , Miranda J , Vicuña M , Font G , Suárez-Ferrer C , Bernal L , Peries L , Mínguez A , Tejedor J , Pérez-Galindo P , Elosua A , Lastiri E A , Brunet E , Llaó J , Rodríguez-Lago I , Ferreiro-Iglesias R , López L , González I , Ortega S P , Monsalve S , Márquez-Mosquera L , González-Vivó M , Murciano F , Zabana Y , Barreiro-de Acosta M 
Published: January 2023

Background

There is scarce information about Crohn’s disease (CD) affecting oesophagus, stomach and duodenum. The aim of the study was to describe phenotypic features, disease course and treatment response in these patients.

Methods

Patients with CD and upper involvement (oesophagus, stomach and/or duodenum) were included (upper CD=UCD). Extensive CD (ECD) was defined as concomitant distal involvement (jejunal, ileal and/or colonic). A multicentric, longitudinal and retrospective study was designed to evaluate disease characteristics at diagnosis and behaviour of UCD in patients &gt;= 18 years between January 2000 and December 2019 with at least 1 year follow-up since diagnosis. All treatments for UCD diagnosis and reason to start them were recorded, as well as 14- and 52-week response. Incidence of malignancy was also evaluated. Descriptive statistics were applied for quantitative and qualitative variables. Exact Fisher test was used for comparison of proportions.

Results

197 (0.9%) UCD among 21.670 patients with Crohn’s Disease (CD) from 28 Spanish centres were included with a median of 10.7 years follow-up (min 2.2– max 22.1). Nearly 55% were men: median age at CD diagnosis was 29 years whereas for UCD was 32 years, with a mean of 2 months between CD and UCD diagnosis (SD 0.4). Only 9 patients had isolated UCD, whereas the rest presented ECD. 97% were diagnosed by endoscopy, in 2/3 due to symptoms (epigastric pain and dyspepsia). Inflammatory phenotype was prevalent in UCD with aphthous ulcer as the main endoscopic lesion (42%). Isolated duodenal location was the most frequent, followed by the antrum. Systemic corticosteroids and thiopurines were the most used treatments after UCD diagnosis. Treatment response at 14- and 52-weeks is detailed in Figures 1 and 2. Treatment withdrawal due to UCD activity was seen in 2-11% of patients. Thiopurines was the most durable treatment (median 50 months, min 0–max 210) followed by infliximab and adalimumab. Ten patients presented phenotype change over time (90% from inflammatory to stricturing). 53% of patients underwent endoscopic control (44% due to symptoms). De novo metaplasia was detected in 3 patients, and low-grade visible dysplasia in one. Two patients developed neoplasia: 1 gastric MALT lymphoma and 1 oesophagus carcinoma 5.5 and 20 years after UCD diagnosis, respectively.

Conclusion

UCD in adult population is infrequent. Upper involvement does not have an impact on immunosuppressive treatment requirements, but extensive disease does, appreciating a similar response to treatments for proximal and distal disease, both in the short and medium term. Although rare, risk of malignancy in UCD exists.