We sought to further characterize the clinical features, causes, treatments, and outcomes of PPG.
We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients with PPG seen at Mayo Clinic from January 1996 to July 2013.
A total of 44 patients had PPG (mean age, 46 years; 32 women [73%]); 41 (93%) had inflammatory bowel disease. Mean time to PPG onset after stoma surgery was 5.2 months (excluding 1 outlier). Systemic therapies included corticosteroids (66%), immunosuppressants (41%), biologics (36%), and a combination of systemic treatments (36%). Mean time to reach a complete response was 10.7 weeks. Stoma closure had the greatest complete response (4 of 4 patients, no recurrences). Recurrence after any treatment was documented in 23 of 38 (61%) patients. Stoma relocation/revision recurred in 10 of 15 (67%) patients. Remission occurred in 29 of 31 (94%) patients.
Small sample size and retrospective study design are limitations.
PPG is strongly associated with inflammatory bowel disease, is predominant in women, and has a prolonged time to onset and high recurrence rate. Systemic corticosteroid or combination therapies and surgical closure can be effective treatments. Timely recognition and management are paramount to achieving early remission.