P251 Endoscopic and pathologic findings of the esophago-gastroduodenal involvement of Crohn’s disease in Korea: a prospective cohort study

Kim, G.H.(1);Kim, J.(2);Park, S.H.(1);Ahn, J.Y.(1);Ye, B.D.(1);Jung, H.Y.(1);Yang, S.K.(1);

(1)Asan Medical Center University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Gastroenterology, Seoul, Korea- Republic Of;(2)Asan Medical Center University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Pathology, Seoul, Korea- Republic Of;

Background

The characteristics and incidence of esophago-gastroduodenal involvement of Crohn’s disease (CD) are unclear in Korea. We aim to investigate the prevalence and clinicopathological characteristics of CD with esophago-gastroduodenal involvement.

Methods

: A total of 115 patients with CD who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) including esophageal, gastric and duodenal biopsies were enrolled prospectively between 2020 and 2021 at a tertiary care center. Total of five specimens obtained from the esophagus, gastric body and antrum, and duodenal bulb and second portion respectively during endoscopy were histologically reviewed. The presence of Helicobater pylori was evaluated by immunohistochemical analysis.

Results

The median age was 30.0 (interquartile range [IQR] 25.0-37.0) years and 74.8% were male. Of total, 32.2% had were symptoms including epigastric pain (29.7%), bloating (27.0%) and dyspepsia (13.5%). Based on histological features, 56 patients (48.7%) were identified as having UGI involvement (15 esophageal, 44 gastric, and 36 duodenal). Of 115 included patients, bamboo- joint-like appearance in the stomach was founded in 81 (70.4%) and their histologic findings were mostly revealed as non-specific feature. Notable histopathological findings included non-caseating granulomas in 8 cases (7.0%), focally enhanced gastritis in 38 cases (33.0%), and lymphocytic esophagitis in 13 cases (10.7%). Among 115 cases, 6 cases (5.2%) were H. pylori positive and 109 cases (94.8%) were H. pylori negative.

Conclusion

The prevalence of esophago-gastroduodenal involvement of CD was relatively high among CD patients who underwent EGD in Korea. A high suspicion of CD with esophago-gastroduodenal involvement with endoscopic biopsy is warranted when patients have abnormal endoscopic findings.