Factors associated with radiation exposure in IBD

The latest issue of the Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics identifies factors associated with radiation exposure in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients undergo multiple radiological evaluations.

Dr Levi and colleagues from Israel estimated total and abdominal radiation exposure from diagnostic X-ray investigations in inflammatory bowel disease patients and the associated risk factors.

The team recruited patients with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis treated in the inflammatory bowel disease clinic.

Clinical data were extracted from patient files and radiological data were obtained from the central HMO computer data base.

7% of patients had cumulative estimated doses of 50 mSv

Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics

The researchers evaluated a total of 199 Crohn's disease, and 125 ulcerative colitis patients.

The mean cumulative estimated doses for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis were 21 and 15 millisieverts (mSv), respectively.

The team found that 7% of patients had a cumulative estimated doses of 50 mSv.

In multivariate analyses, predictors of increased cumulative estimated doses included surgery, Crohn's disease, prednisone use, first year of disease, and age in the upper quartile.

Dr Levi's team concluded, “Diagnosis of Crohn's disease, inflammatory bowel disease-related surgery, prednisone use, first year of diagnosis and age on the upper quartile are independent predictors of increased exposure in inflammatory bowel disease  patients.”

“Alternative investigations which do not require radiation exposure should be considered for patients at risk for increased radiation exposure."