Magnetic resonance enterography predicts the prognosis of Crohn's disease

Background/Aims: Magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) has emerged as an important tool in the diagnosis and followup of Crohn's disease (CD). The aim of this study was to evaluate whether MRE findings could predict the prognosis of CD. Methods: In this retrospective study, a total of 173 patients with clinical remission of CD (n=61) or active CD (n=112) were identified. The outcomes of clinical relapse, admission, surgery, and need for other medications according to the MRE findings were evaluated. Results: The presence of active inflammation on MRE was observed in 93 (83%) patients with clinically active CD and in 44 (72.1%) patients with clinical remission of CD, without a statistically significant difference (P=0.091). In multivariate analysis, active inflammation on MRE increased the risk for clinical relapse (hazard ratio [HR], 6.985; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.024-47.649) in patients with clinical remission of CD. In patients with clinically active CD, active inflammation on MRE increased the risk for CD-related hospitalization (HR, 2.970; 95% CI, 1.006-8.772). Conclusions: The presence of active inflammation on MRE was significantly associated with poor prognosis both in patients with clinical remission of CD and in those with active CD.