Prognostic parameters of Crohn's disease recurrence

Patients with Crohn's disease are haunted by the likelihood of recurrence following resection of their disease. In an effort to better counsel patients about their relative risk, many centres have evaluated a myriad of factors thought to be harbingers of recurrence. Insightful review of the numerous studies requires consideration of the definition of recurrence, length and manner of follow-up, and statistical tools used for analysis of the data. Factors that may possibly influence recurrence include: age of disease onset; gender; tobacco use; anatomical pattern of disease; clinical pattern of disease; extra-intestinal manifestations; duration of pre-operative symptoms; previous resections; operative indication; blood transfusion: extent of resection; faecal diversion; pathological features of resected bowel; and chemotherapy following resection. Unfortunately, the role that these factors play in disease recurrence remains poorly understood.