The incidence of lymphoid and myeloid malignancies among hospitalized Crohn's disease patients

An association may exist between Crohn's disease (CD) and lymphoid/myeloid malignancies. We aimed to evaluate the 2-year cumulative incidence rate of lymphoid/myeloid malignancy among hospitalized CD patients. This is a retrospective cohort study using hospital discharge data from California and Virginia. Cohorts were defined by the presence or absence of a CD diagnosis in all patients discharged during a single calendar year (Year-2). The presence or absence of lymphoid/myeloid malignancy was determined for all hospitalizations during a l-year period (Year-l to Year-4) for each member of both cohorts. To obtain a 2-year cumulative incidence rate, patients with lymphoid/myeloid malignancy prior to or at the time of their first admission in Year-2 were excluded. Patients were followed for 8 quarters after this admission for the incidence of lymphoid/myeloid malignancy. Cumulative incidence rates and odds ratios were calculated. The crude 2-year incidence rate of lymphoid/myeloid malignancy among hospitalized CD patients was 3.87/1.000 CD patients (21/5,426; 95% CI = 2.40-5.92). The odds ratio adjusted for age, gender, and race was 2.04 (95% CI = 1.33-3.14, p < 0.001). The 2-year cumulative incidence of lymphoid/myeloid malignancies among hospitalized CD patients is greater than that seen in hospitalized patients without CD. This finding supports the need for further prospective population-based studies.