The Study of Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Ulcerative Colitis

Abstract

<em>Background and aims: </em> In diagnosing inflammatory bowel disease, one of diagnostic way is upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, which helps in differential diagnosis of unspecified colitis as well. The aim of this study was to investigate the necessity of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

<em>Materials and Methods: </em> In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 30 children with definite diagnosis of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis underwent upper endoscopy in Medical Center Hospital from October 2009 to March 2011 and the data were analyzed using SPSS software and T-test. <em> </em> <em>Results: </em> Of 30 children with inflammatory bowel disease, 15 patients were diagnosed with Crohn's disease and fifteen patients with ulcerative colitis. The present results demonstrated that esophageal, stomach, and duodenum involvements in patients were 93%, 87%, and 26%, respectively. Esophageal, stomach, and duodenum involvements with ulcerative colitis were observed in 80%, 66%, and 20% of patients, respectively. Patients' involvements with Crohn's disease were in esophageal (94%), stomach (80%), and duodenum (47%).

<em>Conclusion: </em> Regarding the high percentage of upper gastrointestinal involvement in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, endoscopy and histopathological examinations seem necessary for all patients irrespective of the type and locality of involvement.

Keywords:Crohn´s disease, Endoscopy, Ulcerative Colitis, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Upper Gastrointestinal Tract.