Clinical and lifestyle profile of patients with Crohn’s disease assisted by the continuum of care at a public outpatient clinic in Belo Horizonte

Abstract

Introduction: Crohn’s disease (CD) is a chronic condition characterized by intestinal inflammation that can affect the entire gastrointestinal tract. The incidence and prevalence of CD have rapidly increased in recent years in Asia and Latin America, significantly impacting global health systems. This trend necessitates evaluating its consequences based on clinical factors. Objective: To outline the clinical and lifestyle profile of patients diagnosed with CD who are assisted by the Continuous Line of Care at a gastroenterology outpatient clinic in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Methodology: This observational case series study included individuals diagnosed with CD. Results: Of the 38 individuals included, 55.3% (n=21) were female, with a mean age of 47.6 ± 19.4 years. Half of the sample (n=19; 50.0%) had no data on their Body Mass Index (BMI). Regarding lifestyle, 55.26% (n=21) reported not practicing physical activity and not smoking, while 60.52% (n=23) reported not consuming alcohol. Conclusion: The individuals analyzed had a clinical profile that corroborated previous studies published in the national literature. Furthermore, there is a need for more national studies to help address risk factors and improve the quality of life for this population.