Impact of preoperative duration of ulcerative colitis on long-term outcomes of restorative proctocolectomy.

Background: It is unknown if ulcerative colitis (UC) duration has an impact on outcomes of ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA). The aim of the study was to compare the long-term IPAA outcomes based on preoperative UC duration.

Methods: All patients with pathologically confirmed UC who underwent IPAA were included from a prospectively maintained pouch database (1983-2017).Patient's cohort was stratified according to UC duration:< 5 years,5-10 years,10-20 years,> 20 years. UC duration was defined as time interval from date of preoperative diagnosis to colectomy date. The main outcome was Kaplan-Meier pouch survival. Secondary outcomes were pouch function and quality of life.

Results: Out of 4502 IPAAs (1983-2016), 2797 patients were included. Treated with biologics versus 12% with UC duration > 20 years were 41% patients with UC duration < 5 years. Treated with steroids compared to shortest (34%,p < 0.001) were 54% patients with the longest disease. A total of 65% of patients with shortest disease had IPAAs performed mostly in 3 stages. Anastomotic separation and pelvic sepsis were more prevalent among shortest compared to longest disease groups. Rates of pouch-targeted fistulas, anastomotic strictures, and pouchitis were highest in longest disease group. Pouch survival was similar between groups. Multivariate analysis did not show a significant association between UC duration and pouch failure [1.05(0.97-1.1), p = 0.23].Longer UC duration was associated with increased odds of pouchitis [1.2(1.1, 1.3), p < 0.001]. Biologics agents were shown to be protective against pouchitis.

Conclusions: Preoperative UC duration does not increase pouch failure risk. Longer preoperative UC duration increases the pouchitis risk. Biologic agents and three-staged IPAA are protective against pouchitis and septic complications in long-term among patients with UC.