Comparison between Pediatric Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis at Diagnosis in Korea: Results from a Multicenter, Registry-Based, Inception Cohort Study

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We aimed to compare the differences in pediatric Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) at diagnosis in Korea. METHODS: This was a multicenter, registry-based, inception cohort study conducted at five centers in Korea between 2013 and 2017. Baseline demographics, clinical characteristics, and results from laboratory, endoscopic, radiologic examinations were compared between pediatric CD and UC patients who were <19 years old at diagnosis. RESULTS: A total 307 patients were included (227 CD [73.9%] and 80 UC [26.1%]). The male to female ratio was 2.491 for CD, and 1.491 for UC (p=0.019). Median age at diagnosis was 14.4 years (interquartile range, 12.4 to 16.2) for CD, and 14.4 years (interquartile range, 11.7 to 16.5) for UC (p=0.962). Hematochezia was the only dominant symptom in UC patients compared to CD patients (86.2% vs 30.8%, p<0.001). White blood cell counts, platelet counts, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein levels were significantly higher, and serum albumin level was significantly lower in CD patients than in UC patient. Anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibody was positive in 44.5% and 16.2% of CD and UC patients, respectively (p<0.001), and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody was positive in 15.0% and 58.8% of CD and UC patients, respectively (p<0.001). Terminal ileal involvement was prominent in CD, while rectal involvement was more prominent in UC. Small bowel involvement and perianal perforating diseases were also more prominent in CD. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first a multicenter study in Korea to compare the differences between pediatric CD and UC at diagnosis in Korea. A large-scale, national study is expected to better clarify these findings in the future.