Epidemiological characteristics of patients with inflammatory bowel disease consulting in the Department of Gastroenterology of the Hospital de Clinicas, San Lorenzo, period january 2019 to december 2021

Abstract

Introduction: Incidence and prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has increased in recent years in several Latin American countries (UC ulcerative colitis, CD Crohn’s disease and IC indeterminate colitis).

Materials and methods: Describe the epidemiological characteristics of IBD patients who report to the Gastroenterology Department at the Clinical Hospital, 2019 to 2021 period. 44 IBD cases were registered, 2 cases were excluded due to the exclusion criteria.

Results: An average age of 38 years old was recorded, 25 women and 17 men. Most didn’t present relevant comorbidities or family history. Consultation frequency due to IBD was 1,92: 81% patients with UC, 14,3% with CD and the remaining 4,7% with IC. The most frequent intestinal manifestations were diarrhea, rectal bleeding and abdominal pain. Among extraintestinal manifestations, the most frequent was primary sclerosing cholangitis. The initial presentation of UC was severe in 44,1% and mild for CD in 33,3%. Recurrence after treatment was 50% (59,5% UC and CD 33,3%) mainly due to medication neglect.

Conclusion: IBD is more frequent in younger, female patients; the most frequent type being UC. Most UC patients began the disease gravely. Half of the patients had symptom recurrence generally due to medication neglect.