Patients with indeterminate colitis who have ileal-anal anastomosis fare well over time, according to a recent investigation that followed patients for almost 15 years. Researchers found:

• About 15% of patients with inflammatory bowel disease have indeterminatecolitis and the best approach to this condition has been debated by experts.
• The new study followed 56 patients for an average of 14 (+/- 7) years to determine if they developed Crohn’s disease-like signs and symptoms.
• Using the Cleveland Global Quality of Life and Pouch Functional Score, surgeons found that 39% developed Crohn’s-like disease.
• This group needed more anti-inflammatory/immunomodulatory medication and pouch reoperations (32% vs 6%) when compared to patients without Crohn’s-like disease.