The prevalence and incidence of peripheral arthritis in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, a prospective population-based study (the IBSEN study)

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the occurrence of peripheral arthritis (PA) 6 yr after diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). METHODS: In a population-based cohort of 654 patients with a definite diagnosis of IBD, 521 patients (80%) were clinically examined by a rheumatologist 6 yr after IBD diagnosis. RESULTS: PA related to IBD (PAIBD) was detected at examination in four patients (point prevalence 0.8%). If the patients' own reports of PA were accepted, 12% of the cases had developed such manifestations. The striking difference may be explained by the nature of PAIBD exhibiting a short-lasting, self-limiting, non-destructive course and by possible differences in the validity of both methods of ascertainment. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that PAIBD occurs in a considerable number of IBD patients during the first years after diagnosis, but the point prevalence of PAIBD is low.