LAUSR

Background Previous studies suggest that Crohn’s disease (CD) with both small bowel and colon involvement is more serious than colonic CD. However, clinical features of isolated small-bowel CD have not been fully investigated. Methods In this retrospective case-control study, 89 patients were divided into two groups according to capsule endoscopy, ileocolonoscopy, and enhanced computed tomography results. The case group was isolated small-bowel CD ( n  = 50) and the control group was CD with both small bowel and colon involvement ( n  = 39). We collected data of the patients and analyze it. Results In univariate analysis, isolated small-bowel CD group had higher percentage of stricture, Lewis score, platelet, plateletcrit and lower Harvey-Bradshaw index, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. In multivariable analysis, it had lower Harvey-Bradshaw index ( p  = 0.000), which meaned relatively mild symptoms. However, it had higher Lewis score ( p  = 0.007), which meaned more serious small-bowel inflammation. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve also suggested that isolated small-bowel CD patients were more likely to accept partial small intestinal resection surgery ( p  = 0.029). Conclusions Isolated small-bowel CD is easily overlooked for milder clinical symptoms and relatively limited lessions, but severe small-bowel histological injury results in owing worse clinical outcomes. Clinicians should pay more attention to the isolated small-bowel CD and take aggressive intervention during therapy.