Profile of Extra-Digestive Manifestations of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in a Hospital Setting in Libreville: A Cross-Sectional Study of 48 Cases (2019-2025)
Introduction: Extra-intestinal manifestations (EIMs) of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remain poorly documented in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Gabon. This study aimed to determine the epidemiological profile in patients with IBD followed at the University Teaching Hospital of Libreville (CHUL). Materials and Method: A descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2019 to December 2025, including 48 patients followed for IBD at the Hepato-Gastroenterology Department of CHUL. EIMs were classified as ophthalmic, rheumatological, dermatological, and hepatic manifestations. Associated factors were identified by bivariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression (threshold p < 0.05). Results: Among 48 patients included (sex ratio 2.0; mean age 37.4 ± 11.2 years; 66.7% ulcerative colitis), 79.2% presented at least one EIM. Ophthalmic manifestations were the most frequent (45.8%), dominated by ocular redness (54.5%) and photophobia (22.7%), followed by rheumatological (41.7%), dermatological (10.4%), and hepatic (2.1%) manifestations. In multivariable analysis, active disease flare remained the only factor independently associated with ophthalmic manifestations (p = 0.03) and Crohn’s disease type was the sole independent predictor of rheumatological manifestations (OR 10.22; 95% CI [2.29 - 45.57]; p = 0.002). Conclusion: EIMs of IBD are frequent in our setting, with a predominance of ophthalmic involvement. Systematic ophthalmological screening during active flares and enhanced rheumatological monitoring in all Crohn’s disease patients are warranted.
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