Annalisa Schiepatti1, Maria Luisa Nicolardi1, Piero Marone2, Federico Biagi1. 1. Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Gastroenterology Unit of Pavia Institute, University of Pavia, Pavia 27100, Italy. 2. Department of Microbiology & Virology, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia 27100, Italy.
Abstract
Background: Little is known about long-term morbidity and mortality in Whipple's disease (WD). Aim: To describe morbidity and mortality in patients with WD on a long-term follow-up. Materials & methods: Comorbidities, mortality and causes of death were retrospectively registered. Results: A total of 35 patients with WD (9F, 54 ± 11 years) were followed-up for a median of 104 months. Nine patients developed ten complications; three patients died. A total of 31 severe comorbidities apparently unrelated to WD were found in 20 patients: preneoplastic/neoplastic disorders in seven, thromboembolic and cardiovascular events in seven, pneumonia in four, candidiasis in ten patients. Conclusion: WD is frequently complicated by potentially life-threatening infectious, neoplastic and thromboembolic disorders, thus highlighting the need for a life-long multidisciplinary follow-up.
Background: Little is known about long-term morbidity and mortality in Whipple's disease (WD). Aim: To describe morbidity and mortality in patients with WD on a long-term follow-up. Materials & methods: Comorbidities, mortality and causes of death were retrospectively registered. Results: A total of 35 patients with WD (9F, 54 ± 11 years) were followed-up for a median of 104 months. Nine patients developed ten complications; three patientsdied. A total of 31 severe comorbidities apparently unrelated to WD were found in 20 patients: preneoplastic/neoplastic disorders in seven, thromboembolic and cardiovascular events in seven, pneumonia in four, candidiasis in ten patients. Conclusion:WD is frequently complicated by potentially life-threatening infectious, neoplastic and thromboembolic disorders, thus highlighting the need for a life-long multidisciplinary follow-up.