Comparison of the Risk of Crohn's Disease Postoperative Recurrence Between Modified Rutgeerts Score i2a and i2b Categories: An Individual Patient Data Meta-analysis

Abstract

Background: The modified Rutgeerts' score [RS] differentiates i2a - lesions confined to the anastomosis - and i2b - more than five aphthous ulcers in the neoterminal ileum with normal intervening mucosa, with or without anastomotic lesions - categories. Its relevance for the therapeutic management of Crohn's disease [CD] patients after ileocolic resection is still debated. Our objective was to compare the postoperative recurrence risk in patients with an i2a or i2b score, using an individual patient data meta-analysis. Methods: We conducted a systematic literature search until July 2020, to identify all relevant studies reporting the i2a/i2b status in the year following ileocolic resection a..