부산대학교 도서관

To purchase or authenticate to the full-text of this article, please visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2036.2007.03532.x Byline: C. HASSAN (*), A. ZULLO (*), V. DE FRANCESCO ([dagger]), E. IERARDI ([dagger]), M. GIUSTINI, A. PITIDIS ([double dagger]), F. TAGGI ([double dagger]), S. WINN (*), S. MORINI (*) Abstract: Summary Background Endoscopic dilatation for Crohn's disease has been evaluated only in some small and heterogeneous studies. Aim To evaluate any association between the main clinical variables and endoscopic variables and the efficacy and safety of endoscopic dilatation in Crohn's disease. Methods A Medline search regarding pneumatic dilatation in Crohn's disease was performed. Several technical and clinical variables were extracted from each study to build up a descriptive, pool-data analysis. Data on individual patients were extracted from suitable studies to create a simulated population upon which a multivariate statistical analysis was performed. Results Thirteen studies enrolling 347 Crohn's disease patients were reviewed. Endoscopic dilatation was mainly applied to postsurgical strictures, being technically successful in 86% of the cases. Long-term clinical efficacy was achieved in 58% of the patients. Mean follow-up was as long as 33 months, corresponding to 800 patient years of follow-up. Major complication rate was 2%, being higher than 10% in two series. At multivariate analysis, a stricture length [less than or equal to]4 cm was associated with a surgery-free outcome (OR: 4.01; 95% CI: 1.16-13.8; P < 0.028). Conclusions Endoscopic dilatation is an effective and safe treatment for short strictures caused by Crohn's disease, impacting substantially on the natural history of these patients. Author Affiliation: (*)Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy Unit, 'Nuovo Regina Margherita' Hospital, Rome ([dagger])Section of Gastroenterology, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Foggia, Foggia ([double dagger])Laboratory of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, 'Istituto Superiore di Sanita', Rome, Italy Article History: Publication data Submitted 2 July 2007 First decision 19 August 2007 Resubmitted 20 September 2007 Second decision 21 September 2007 Resubmitted 23 September 2007 Accepted 24 September 2007 Article note: Dr C. Hassan, Ospedale Nuovo Regina Margherita, Gastroenterologia ed Endoscopia Digestiva, Via Morosini 30, 00153, Rome, Italy., E-mail: cesareh@hotmail.com