Clinical features, therapeutic requirements and evolution of patients with Crohn’s disease and upper gastrointestinal involvement (CROHNEX study)

BACKGROUND Crohn's disease (CD) with upper gastrointestinal involvement (UGI) may have a more aggressive and refractory course. However, evidence on this phenotype of patients is scarce. AIMS To identify the clinical characteristics, therapeutic requirements and complications associated with UGI in CD METHODS: Nationwide study of cases (UGI, UGI plus ileal/ileocolonic involvement) paired with controls (ileal/ileocolonic involvement) from the ENEIDA registry. Cases were matched to 2 controls by year of diagnosis ± 2.5 years. Patients with exclusive/predominant colonic location or complex perianal fistula were excluded. RESULTS Of 24 738 patients with CD in the ENEIDA registry, we identified 4058 with UGI (16% of the total CD cohort). Finally, 854 cases and 1708 controls were included. Cases were independently associated to extensive involvement (OR 2.7 [2.2-3.3], P