Evidence-based On-call

Inflammatory bowel disease

Prognosis

Relapse and subsequent surgery are common following discharge ^b

but death is uncommon. ^b

Why?

Most patients relapse and many require surgery

Outcome	% (95% CI)
Crohn's disease relapse at 10 years ^b	99% (97% to 100%)
Crohn's disease surgery at 6 years ^b	55% (48% to 62%)
definite ulcerative colitis relapse at 7 years ^b	75% (70% to 80%)
indeterminate colitis relapse at 7 years ^b	83% (74% to 91%)
ulcerative colitis: surgery at 13 years ^b	38% (35% to 41%)
ulcerative colitis: toxic, fulminant or severe colitis at 13 years ^b	13% (11% to 15%)
ulcerative colitis: bleeding at 13 years ^b	17% (15% to 19%)
ulcerative colitis: death at 13 years ^b	1.0% (0.4% to 1.6%)