Background: Joint complaints such as spondyloarthritis and peripheral arthritis are the most common extraintestinal manifestations in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); however, the evaluation of these symptoms are poorly described. Objectives: To examine the clinical characteristics and prevalence of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and other joint complaints among patients with IBD. Methods: In a local cohort of patients diagnosed with IBD between 1996 and 2009, we performed a retrospective study at the Veterans Affairs Hospital. Patients with IBD were identified by International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes and confirmed by chart review. The occurrence of AS, peripheral arthritis, and other peripheral and axial joint symptoms were identified. Results: We identified 626 patients with IBD between ages 18 and 90 (90% males), of whom 57% had ulcerative colitis (UC), 74% were Caucasians, and the mean age at diagnosis was 54 (±16) years. Among the study population, 108 patients (17%) had at least one type of joint pain. Among these 17% with joint pain, 12% had AS, 43% had peripheral arthritis, 32% had chronic back pain without AS, and 13% had other types of joint pain. The overall prevalence of peripheral arthritis among patients with IBD was three times higher than that of AS (7% vs 2.1%, respectively, OR 3.5; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.9–6.5; p=0.001). There was no difference in the prevalence of AS or peripheral arthritis between patients with Crohn’s disease and UC. The initial diagnosis of AS occurred after the initial diagnosis of IBD in 80% of patients within a mean (SD) period of 5.6 (±6) years. Conclusion: Spondyloarthritis among patients with IBD is usually diagnosed after the initial diagnosis of IBD. No difference in the prevalence of AS or peripheral arthritis was observed by IBD type, age, or race. Recognition and understanding of these results will have important implications for the management of IBD patients with spondyloarthritis.

(1) Background: Gastroduodenal perforation (GDP) is a life-threatening condition caused by a spontaneous or traumatic event. Treatment should be based on the mechanism of damage, timing, location, extent of the injury, and the patient’s clinical condition. We aimed to examine several etiologic factors associated with gastroduodenal perforation and to search for the best method(s) for its prevention and treatment. (2) Methods: We conducted extensive literature reviews by searching numerous studies obtained from PubMed, Science Direct, and Cochrane for the following keywords: gastroduodenal perforation, Helicobacter pylori, NSAIDs’ use, side effects of GDP, laparoscopy, and surgery. The primary outcome was the reported occurrence of GDP. (3) Results: Using keywords, 883 articles were identified. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 53 studies were eligible for the current analyses, with a total number of 34,692 gastroduodenal perforation cases. Even though the risk factors of gastroduodenal perforation are various, the prevalence of H. pylori among patients with perforation is considerably high. As technology develops, the treatment for gastric perforation will also improve, with laparoscopic surgery having a lower mortality and complication rate compared to open surgery for GDP treatment. (4) Conclusions: H. pylori infection plays the most significant role in GDP, more than NSAIDs, surgery, chemotherapy, or transplantation. Treatment of H. pylori infection is essential to decrease the prevalence of GDP and speed up its recovery. However, urgent cases require immediate intervention, such as laparoscopic or open surgery.