Mortality in Crohn's disease.

Two hundred and nineteen Cardiff residents were identified with Crohn's disease between 1934 and 1976, during which period 40 of them died. Young patients diagnosed under the age of 20 years had a significantly raised standardized mortality rate (SMR) which was 11. The risk of death was particularly high during the first two and a half years after diagnosis and again after the disease had been present for more than about 13 years. Case fatality has not diminished during the last 40 years despite changes in treatment.