P245 Pulmonary function tests in asymptomatic patients with inflammatory bowel disease: preliminary results of a single-centre cohort study

Abstract

Introduction: Pulmonary dysfunction is frequently underestimated in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. The aim of this study was to investigate pulmonary function in IBD patients and identify possible risk factors for pulmonary dysfunction. Aims & Methods: Consecutive informed and consented IBD patients < 60 years old followed up in our centre underwent pulmonary function tests (PFTs) during their regular follow up visit. Measurements conducted were forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one sec (FEV1) and maximal mid-expiratory flow (MMEF 75/25). Exclusion criteria were an acute or chronic respiratory disease as well as the presence of an established pulmonary extra-intestinal manifestation. Result(s): 135 IBD patients have been enrolled so far (males: 55.6%, Crohn's disease: 63.7%, mean age at IBD diagnosis: 34.2 years [SD+/-11.9], median [IQR] duration of IBD: 7.5 months [0.1-34.3], extraintestinal manifestations: 36.3%). Thirty-eight patients (28.1%) had never smoked with the rest being either active (36.3%) or ex- (33.3%) smokers. Thirty-four patients (25.2%), including 7/38 (35.3%) non-smokers, revealed abnormal PFTs (males: 22/34, Crohn's disease: 25/34); 12 (35.3 %) exhibited a restrictive pattern, 12 (35.3 %) an obstructive pattern and 10 (29.4%) small airway disease. Interestingly, appendectomy was more commonly reported in non-smokers with abnormal PFTs compared to those without (p=0.002). IBD was active at baseline in 4/34 and extraintestinal manifestations were present in 15/34 patients. Anti-TNFalpha agents were administered in 17/34 (50%) patients. Six patients were under combination therapy with an IMS. There was no association of abnormal PFTs with gender, disease sort or location or behavior or activity, tonsillectomy, IBD therapy either as monotherapy or as combination therapy and the presence of anemia. Conclusion(s): More than one fourth of our IBD patients in total and of nonsmokers in particular demonstrate abnormal PFTs measured in a random outpatient visit without any symptoms, signs or history of respiratory disease. Appendectomy was associated with LFTs abnormality in non-smokers perhaps revealing an immunologic defect influencing the development of obscure primary or secondary pulmonopathy on the background of IBD. These results should of course be interpreted with caution for the time being, while awaiting those of a larger cohort.