Diagnosis and management of microscopic colitis.
Microscopic colitis, comprising collagenous and lymphocytic colitis, is characterized clinically by chronic watery diarrhea, and 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 for collagenous colitis. The etiology is unknown. Chronic diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss, fatigue and fecal incontinence are common symptoms, which impair the health-related quality of life of the patient. There is an association with 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.
Tysk
Curt
C
Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Orebro University Hospital, SE-701 85 Orebro, Sweden. curt.tysk@orebroll.se
Bohr
Johan
J
Nyhlin
Nils
N
Wickbom
Anna
A
Eriksson
Sune
S
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019819:Budesonide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D046728:Colitis, Microscopic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D019819:Budesonide