Male gender, active smoking and previous intestinal resection are risk factors for post-operative endoscopic recurrence in Crohn's disease: results from a prospective cohort study

Background: After ileocaecal resection for Crohn's disease (CD), inflammatory lesions frequently recur on the anastomosis and/or on the neo-terminal ileum. Aim: To identify predictors of early post-operative endoscopic recurrence. Methods: From September 2010 to September 2017, the REMIND group conducted a prospective nationwide study in nine French academic centres. Data were collected at the time of surgery and endoscopy, performed 6-12 months after surgery. Endoscopic recurrence was defined as a Rutgeerts score >= i2. Baseline factors associated with endoscopic recurrence were searched by univariate and multivariate regression analysis. Results: Two hundred and eighty-nine CD patients were included. Endoscopy within 1 year following surgery was performed in 225 (78%) patients (104M/121F). Mean age and disease duration were 35 (12.2) and 8.8 (8.9) years respectively. Seventy (32%) patients were active smokers at surgery. One hundred and forty-two (63%) patients received at least one anti-TNF therapy before surgery. After surgery, 40 (18%) patients received thiopurines and 66 (29%) received an anti-TNF agent. Endoscopic recurrence occurred in 107 (47%) patients. In multivariate analysis, male gender (OR = 2.48 [IC 95% 1.40-4.46]), active smoking at surgery (OR = 2.65 [IC 95% 1.44-4.97]) and previous resection (OR = 3.03 [IC 95% 1.36-7.12]) were associated with a higher risk of endoscopic recurrence. Inversely, post-operative anti-TNF treatment decreased the risk of endoscopic recurrence (OR = 0.50 [IC 95% 0.25-0.96]). Conclusions: Male gender, active smoking at surgery and previous intestinal resection are associated with a higher risk of endoscopic post-operative recurrence, while post-operative anti-TNF treatment is associated with a lower risk.