Results of the Fifth Scientific Workshop of the ECCO [II]: Clinical Aspects of Perianal Fistulising Crohn's Disease-the Unmet Needs

Abstract

Background and aims: Perianal fistulas affect up to one-third of Crohn's patients during the course of their disease. Despite the considerable disease burden, current treatment options remain unsatisfactory. The Fifth Scientific Workshop [SWS5] of the European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation [ECCO] focused on the pathophysiology and clinical impact of fistulas in the disease course of patients with Crohn's disease [CD].

Methods: The ECCO SWS5 Working Group on clinical aspects of perianal fistulising Crohn's disease [pCD] consisted of 13 participants, gastroenterologists, colorectal surgeons, and a histopathologist, with expertise in the field of inflammatory bowel diseases. A systematic review of literature was performed.

Results: Four main areas of interest were identified: natural history of pCD, morphological description of fistula tracts, outcome measures [including clinical and patient-reported outcome measures, as well as magnetic resonance imaging] and randomised controlled trials on pCD.

Conclusions: The treatment of perianal fistulising Crohn's disease remains a multidisciplinary challenge. To optimise management, a reliable classification and proper trial endpoints are needed. This could lead to standardised diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of Crohn's perianal fistulas and the execution of well-designed trials that provide clear answers. The prevalence and the natural history of pCD need further evaluation.

Keywords: Crohn’s disease; perianal fistula; treatment.