Does Combined Medical and Surgical Treatment Improve Perianal Fistula Outcomes in Patients With Crohn's Disease? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The optimal treatment of perianal fistulizing Crohn's disease [PFCD] is unknown. We performed a systematic review with meta-analysis to compare combined surgical intervention and anti-tumour necrosis factor [anti-TNF] therapy [combined therapy] vs either therapy alone.

Methods

MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were searched systematically up to end December 2023. Surgical intervention was defined as an exam under anaesthesia ± setons. We calculated weighted risk ratios [RRs] with 95% confidence intervals [CIs] for our co-primary outcomes: fistula response and healing, defined clinically as a reduction in fistula drainage or number of draining fistulas and fistula closure respectively.

Results

Thirteen studies were analysed: 515 patients treated with c

SUBMITTER: Fung M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11324341 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature