The prevalence and incidence of peripheral arthritis in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, a prospective population‐based study (the IBSEN study)

• Published in: British journal of rheumatology 2001-11, Vol.40 (11), p.1256-1261
• Main Authors: Palm, Ø., Moum, B., Jahnsen, J., Gran, J. T.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Arthritis; Arthritis - epidemiology; Biological and medical sciences; Colitis, Ulcerative - epidemiology; Crohn Disease - epidemiology; Crohn's disease; Epidemiology; Extra‐intestinal manifestations; Female; Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen; Humans; Incidence; Inflammatory bowel disease; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Other diseases. Semiology; Peripheral arthropathy; Prevalence; Prospective Studies; Stomach. Duodenum. Small intestine. Colon. Rectum. Anus; Surveys and Questionnaires; Ulcerative colitis
• ISSN: 1462-0324; 1460-2172; 1462-0332; 1460-2172
• DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/40.11.1256

Objectives. To estimate the occurrence of peripheral arthritis (PA) 6 yr after diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Methods. In a population‐based cohort of 654 patients with a definite diagnosis of IBD, 521 patients (80%) were clinically examined by a rheumatologist 6 yr after IBD diagnosis. Results. PA related to IBD (PAIBD) was detected at examination in four patients (point prevalence 0.8%). If the patients’ own reports of PA were accepted, 12% of the cases had developed such manifestations. The striking difference may be explained by the nature of PAIBD exhibiting a short‐lasting, self‐limiting, non‐destructive course and by possible differences in the validity of both methods of ascertainment. Conclusion. Our results indicate that PAIBD occurs in a considerable number of IBD patients during the first years after diagnosis, but the point prevalence of PAIBD is low.