[Prevalence of axial manifestations among patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a prospective study about 50 cases].

BACKGROUND: Rheumatologic manifestations occurring during inflammatory bowel disease are the most frequent extra intestinal features. They are dominated by spondyloarthropathies, sacro-iliite and peripheral arthritis.

AIM: To identify in a group of inflammatory bowel disease, the frequency of axial manifestations, to describe the clinical and the radiological features and to identify the risk factors of their occurrence and/or worseness.

METHODS: We have established a transversal prospective study including 50 cases of inflammatory bowel disease seen in the department of the internal medicine in the interior forces security hospital during a period of 5 years between January 2001 and December 2006.

RESULTS: The prevalence of axial involvement in the case of inflammatory bowel disease was 26% especially spondyloarthropathies which were diagnosed in 11 cases according to the criteria of European Spondyloarthropathy study Group (ESSG), 8 of them fulfilled the modified criteria of New York for the diagnosis of spondyloarthropathy. Isolated sacro-iliitis was found in 4% of cases. By univariate study, only the age under 35 years with a relative risk of 5,8 and the colic involvement in Chron's disease was significativelly associated with the presence of spondyloarthropathy.

CONCLUSION: Systematic checking of spondyloarthropathies in the course of inflammatory bowel disease through a clinical exam and systematic radiological should be recommended especially if we are in front of a man aged more than 35-years-old with a Chron disease involving the colon. This screening offers an early management and avoid ankylosis.