Specific gastroduodenoscopic findings in Crohn's disease: Comparison with findings in patients with ulcerative colitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease

BACKGROUND: Crohn's disease patients often carry gastroduodenal lesions. However, few reports have addressed specific gastroduodenoscopic findings in Crohn's disease patients. METHODS: The gastroduodenoscopic findings of 63 Crohn's disease patients were examined. Those of 62 ulcerative colitis and 63 age- and gender-matched gastroesophageal reflux disease patients were also reviewed as controls. Findings of bamboo-joint-like appearance, gastric antral erosions, and duodenal lesions were the specific findings that were highlighted. RESULTS: Of 63 Crohn's disease patients, 47 (75%) had at least one of the specific gastroduodenoscopic findings, and the prevalence of these findings was significantly higher in Crohn's disease patients than in ulcerative colitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease patients (ulcerative colitis, 24/62, 39%; gastroesophageal reflux disease, 15/63, 24%, P < 0.0001). In particular, bamboo-joint-like appearance was almost unique to Crohn's disease patients (Crohn's disease, 28/63, 44%; ulcerative colitis, 3/62, 5%; gastroesophageal reflux disease, 0/63, 0%, P < 0.0001). Analysis of the relationship between the Crohn's disease patient's background and gastrodunodenoscopic findings revealed that both patients with disease affecting the ileum and those with previous gut operations were more likely to exhibit the specific gastroduodenoscopic findings (P = 0.030 and P = 0.043, respectively). CONCLUSION: Specific gastroduodenoscopic findings were observed in Crohn's disease patients. In particular, bamboo-joint-like appearance could be a unique marker of Crohn's disease.