title: Microscopic colitis: A literature review.
abstract: Microscopic colitis (MC) refers to chronic inflammation of the colon which is characterized by histologic changes at the level of a radiologically and endoscopically normal mucosa. It is a common cause of chronic non-bloody diarrhea that occurs primarily in older individuals; however, there are few studies in the literature with strong scientific evidence compared to other inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), which limits the knowledge of physicians and pathologists. This article aims to review the information on MC, describing diagnostic methods and drugs available for treatment. We conducted a search of the Pubmed database and CAPES Portal using the keywords "microscopic colitis", "collagenous colitis", "lymphocytic colitis", and "review" for selection of articles published between 1996 and 2015 related to the topic. Based on the studies discussed in this review, we conclude that MC is a relatively new gastrointestinal disorder, most studies are incipient particularly with respect to pathophysiology and immunology, and budesonide is the best documented short-term treatment. However, further studies are needed to elucidate the best strategy for treatment in the long term.
authors.affiliation: MSc in Public Policies and Local Development from Escola Superior de Ciências da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Vitória (Emescam). Professor of Semiology and Internal Medicine at Emescam, Vitória, ES, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ana Paula Hamer Sousa
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Clara
authors.affiliation: MD from Emescam, Vitória, ES, Brazil.
authors.forename: Flávia Drago
authors.initials: FD
authors.lastname: Magnago
authors.affiliation: MD from Emescam, Vitória, ES, Brazil.
authors.forename: Juliana Neves
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.affiliation: MD from Emescam, Vitória, ES, Brazil.
authors.forename: Thais Gagno
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Grillo
mesh_terms: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019819:Budesonide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D046728:Colitis, Microscopic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D019819:Budesonide