Abstract
Introduction: Microscopic colitis (MC), comprising
subtypes of collagenous (CC) and lymphocytic
colitis (LC), is characterised by chronic
watery diarrhea and normal colonoscopy findings.
So far, there have been no data on the incidence
or clinical and demographic features of
patients with microscopic colitis in Slovenia.
Aims and methods: The aim of our study was to
determine the incidence of MC, analyze patient
demographics, risk factors, natural course and
treatment of MC. Data were collected from the
medical records of all patients with MC.
Results: In the period from June 2009 to October
2011, MC was diagnosed in 27 patients (16
patients with CC, 7 with LC and 4 with mixed
form). There were 19 women (70.4 %) and 8 men
(29.6 %), their mean age was 54.4 years (range
29–79 years). The annual incidence rate of MC
was 10/100,000. Lactose intolerance was diagnosed
in nine out of fourteen tested patients
(64.3 %). Ten patients (37 %) used diclofenac
prior to the onset of symptoms. There was no
difference in clinical presentation between patients
with collagenous and lymphocytic colitis.
MC was incidental histologic report in 3 asymptomatic
patients. Currently, 19 patients are without
any symptoms, 2 patients still have problems
with diarrhea, 2 patients died from other diseases
and one patient has been lost to follow-up.
Conclusion: The results of our retrospective
study show mild clinical course in patients with
MC. Discontinuation of diclofenac and loperamide
is often sufficient for clinical improvement.
Citation
ID:
230137
Ref Key:
vujasinovi2012zdravnikiclinical