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World J Gastroenterol. Apr 21, 2014; 20(15): 4329-4334
Published online Apr 21, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i15.4329
Published online Apr 21, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i15.4329
Case-control study of factors that trigger inflammatory bowel disease flares
Linda A Feagins, Ramiz Iqbal, Stuart J Spechler, VA North Texas Healthcare System, Dallas, TX 75216, United States
Linda A Feagins, Stuart J Spechler, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75216, United States
Author contributions: Feagins LA designed the study, enrolled study patients, analyzed and interpreted the data, and drafted and approved the article; Iqbal R played a critical role in patient recruitment and data acquisition; Spechler SJ played a critical role in data interpretation and revising the manuscript for important intellectual content.
Supported by The Office of Medical Research, Department of Veteran’s Affairs, and in part, by Janssen, Inc.
Correspondence to: Linda A Feagins, MD, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas VA Medical Center, 4500 S Lancaster Road, Dallas, TX 75216, United States. linda.feagins@va.gov
Telephone: +1-214-8571820 Fax: +1-214-8571571
Received: August 1, 2013
Revised: September 24, 2013
Accepted: October 19, 2013
Published online: April 21, 2014
Revised: September 24, 2013
Accepted: October 19, 2013
Published online: April 21, 2014
Core Tip
Core tip: Flares of Crohn’s disease and colitis are often unpredictable and physicians and patients alike search for triggers for these flares in an attempt to prevent future flares. In this study, we prospectively enrolled and queried patients with flares of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and compared their responses to IBD patients in remission. We found that medication non-adherence was the only significant trigger for flares of IBD, while nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use, antibiotic use, infections, smoking, travel and emotional stress were not associated with flares. Clinicians should be aware the significant role that non-adherence plays in flare-ups of IBD in order to counsel their patients appropriately.