Factors affecting recurrence in Crohn's disease. Results of a prospective audit

It has been suggested that certain clinical and morphological features can modify the outcome of Crohn's disease, particularly regarding recurrence after surgery. A series of 233 patiens was followed prospectively. They underwent a resectional surgical procedure for both primary and recurrent Crohn's disease during a fifteen-year period with a minimum follow-up of eighteen months. Possible risk factors for recurrence were studied. They included duration of disease before primary surgery, the type of clinical presentation at onset (whether 'Perforating' or 'Non-perforating'), the initial anatomical location, the presence of microscopic disease at the resection edges, the type of surgical procedure (anastomosis vs stoma), post operative surgical complications and the age of the patient. The duration of the disease before the initial operation was the only significant factor related to the recurrence rate.