Is the construction of an ileoanal pouch associated with the development of arthritis?

The construction of an ileoanal pouch in patients who have undergone total colectomy for ulcerative colitis is claimed to be associated with the development of arthritis. The pattern and prevalence of reported musculoskeletal symptoms in the 15 patients with ileoanal pouches attending our hospital was not significantly different to a control group of 60 patients with an ileostomy for inflammatory bowel disease. There was no clinical or serological evidence of arthritis in the eight patients from the study group reporting symptoms. We conclude that the majority of symptoms occurring following pouch construction are not attributable to an inflammatory arthropathy.