Evaluation of gastroduodenal mucosal lesions in patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis

Abstract

Background: Patients with Crohn's disease (CD) are reported to suffer from upper gastroduodenal lesions with varying frequency, although concurrent Helicobacter pylori infection is reported to be low.Methods: A prospective study was carried out on patients diagnosed with CD or ulcerative colitis (UC) in order to evaluate the degree of upper gastroduodenal tract involvement and the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection.Results: Gastroduodenal lesions were found in 18 (78%) of 23 CD patients, the location being the stomach in 18 (78%), the duodenal bulb in 16 (70%) and the descending duodenum in 16 (70%). Bamboo joint‐like lesions were found in four cases (17%) in gastric body and cardia. In contrast, gastroduodenal lesions were found in 10 (53%) of 19 UC patients, the location being the stomach in nine (47%), the duodenal bulb in six (32%), and the descending duodenum in three (16%). The H. pylori‐positive rate in patients with CD and UC was 0%, and 11%, respectively.Conclusion: Minute upper gastroduodenal lesions are much more common in CD than in UC patients, especially in the descending duodenum. Accordingly, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy would seem to be a useful means with which to obtain a definitive diagnosis in all suspected IBD cases.