Impact of preoperative duration of ulcerative colitis on long-term outcomes of restorative proctocolectomy.

BACKGROUND

It is unknown if ulcerative colitis (UC) duration has an impact on outcomes of ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA). The aim of the study was to compare the long-term IPAA outcomes based on preoperative UC duration.

METHODS

All patients with pathologically confirmed UC who underwent IPAA were included from a prospectively maintained pouch database (1983-2017).Patient's cohort was stratified according to UC duration:< 5 years,5-10 years,10-20 years,> 20 years. UC duration was defined as time interval from date of preoperative diagnosis to colectomy date. The main outcome was Kaplan-Meier pouch survival. Secondary outcomes were pouch function and quality of life.

RESULTS

Out of 4502 IPAAs (1983-2016), 2797 patients were included. Treated with biologics versus 12% with UC duration > 20 years were 41% patients with UC duration < 5 years. Treated with steroids compared to shortest (34%,p < 0.001) were 54% patients with the longest disease. A total of 65% of patients with shortest disease had IPAAs performed mostly in 3 stages. Anastomotic separation and pelvic sepsis were more prevalent among shortest compared to longest disease groups. Rates of pouch-targeted fistulas, anastomotic strictures, and pouchitis were highest in longest disease group. Pouch survival was similar between groups. Multivariate analysis did not show a significant association between UC duration and pouch failure [1.05(0.97-1.1), p = 0.23].Longer UC duration was associated with increased odds of pouchitis [1.2(1.1, 1.3), p < 0.001]. Biologics agents were shown to be protective against pouchitis.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative UC duration does not increase pouch failure risk. Longer preoperative UC duration increases the pouchitis risk. Biologic agents and three-staged IPAA are protective against pouchitis and septic complications in long-term among patients with UC.