Microscopic colitis: a common and an easily overlooked cause of chronic diarrhoea.
Microscopic colitis, comprising collagenous colitis and lymphocytic colitis, is characterised clinically by chronic watery diarrhoea, a macroscopically normal colonic mucosa where diagnostic histopathological features are seen on microscopic examination. The annual incidence of each disorder is 4-6/100,000 inhabitants, with a peak incidence in 60-70 year old individuals and a noticeable female predominance in collagenous colitis. The aetiology is unknown. Abdominal pain, weight loss, fatigue, and faecal incontinence are common symptoms in addition to chronic diarrhoea that impair the health-related quality of life of the patient. There is an association to other autoimmune disorders such as celiac disease, diabetes mellitus, thyroid disorders and arthritis. Budesonide is the best-documented short-term treatment, but the optimal long-term strategy needs further study. The long-term prognosis is good and the risk of complications including colonic cancer is low.
Nyhlin
Nils
N
Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Orebro University Hospital, Orebro, Sweden.
Bohr
Johan
J
Eriksson
Sune
S
Tysk
Curt
C
D002908:Chronic Disease; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D046728:Colitis, Microscopic / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D011379:Prognosis