title: Diarrhoea is not the only symptom that needs to be treated in patients with microscopic colitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Many patients with microscopic colitis (MC) also suffer from symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but the only treatment given is corticosteroids for the diarrhoea. The aim of this study was to examine how social factors, life style factors and drug treatment affect symptoms and well-being in patients suffering from MC.
  
  
  METHODS
  Women, over the age of 73years, with biopsy-verified MC, at any Departments of Gastroenterology, Skåne, between 2002 and 2010 were invited. The questionnaires Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) and Psychological General Well-being Index (PGWB) were sent by mail, along with questions about social and life style factors, and medical history.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 240 invited, 158 patients (66%) were included (median age 63years, range 27-73years). Only 26% had never smoked. Smoking and concomitant IBS were associated with both impaired gastrointestinal symptoms (OR=3.96, 95% CI=1.47-10.66 and OR=4.40, 95% CI=2.09-9.26, respectively) and impaired psychological well-being (OR=2.77, 95% CI=1.04-7.34 and OR=3.82, 95% CI=1.83-7.99, respectively). Treatment with proton pump inhibitors (PPI) was associated with increased gastrointestinal symptoms (OR=3.44, 95% CI=1.45-8.16). Age, social factors, and corticosteroids had no effect on symptoms or well-being. Smoking was the only risk factor associated with IBS (OR=2.68, 95% CI=1.115-6.26).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Smoking and IBS are associated with impaired gastrointestinal symptoms and psychological well-being in MC patients. PPI is associated with impaired gastrointestinal symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of Gastroenterology, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
authors.forename: Bodil
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Roth
authors.forename: Mariette
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bengtsson
authors.forename: Bodil
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ohlsson
mesh_terms: D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D046728:Colitis, Microscopic / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D003248:Constipation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D004415:Dyspepsia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012907:Smoking; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors
keywords: Drug treatment; Gastrointestinal symptoms; Irritable bowel syndrome; Life style factors; Microscopic colitis; Psychological well-being