J Korean Soc Coloproctol.  2005 Oct;21(5):286-292.

Characteristics of Crohn's Disease in Korea according to the Vienna Classification

• Yoon ES
• Chang YS
• Lee KY
• Lee SH
• Yoon C
• Kim HJ

Abstract

PURPOSE: Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory disease that is difficult to treat due to various complications and frequent recurrences. There have been many studies on the clinical aspects of CD in Western countries; however, there have been few studies in Korea. We performed this study to evaluate the clinical features of CD in Korea and to assess the stability over the course of the disease according to the Vienna classification.
METHODS
We reviewed the medical records of 85 patients diagnosed as having CD in Kyung Hee University Hospital from March 1986 to July 2004.
RESULTS
The male-to-female ratio was 1.9:1, and the mean age at diagnosis was 27.5 years. The most common symptom was abdominal pain (82%). Perianal lesions were observed in 29 cases (34%). Fistula was the most common (26%) lesion. Extraintestinal manifestations were observed in 13 cases (15%). Stomatitis was the most common (7%) lesion. According to the Vienna classification, the group with ages at diagnosis below 40 years (A1) was 88%, and that with ages equal to or above 40 years (A2) was 12%. The location of the disease was classified as terminal ileum (L1)(15%), colon (L2)(32%), ileocolon (L3)(33%), and upper gastrointestinal (L4)(20%). The behavior of disease was classified as nonstricturing nonpenetrating (B1)(41%), stricturing (B2)(14%), and penetrating (B3)(45%). Empirical anti-tuberculous medications were administered in 23 cases (27%) before the CD had been diagnosed.
CONCLUSIONS
There are differences in the locations and behaviors of Crohn's disease between Korea and Western patients. The cause of the difference is uncertain.

Keyword

Crohn's disease; Vienna classification

MeSH Terms

Abdominal Pain
Classification*
Colon
Crohn Disease*
Diagnosis
Fistula
Humans
Ileum
Korea*
Medical Records
Recurrence
Stomatitis