Microscopic Colitis: A Concise Review for Clinicians

Microscopic colitis (MC) is an inflammatory disease of the colon and a common cause chronic watery diarrhea, predominantly in older patients. encompasses 2 different subtypes, lymphocytic collagenous colitis. The typically appears normal endoscopically MC, diagnosis requires histologic evaluation. Whereas recent studies suggest that incidence MC has plateaued, given aging population, prevalence will likely increase. Risk factors for include increasing age; female sex; presence other autoimmune diseases; possibly use certain medications, including proton pump inhibitors, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, selective serotonin reuptake statins. clinical presentation nonspecific includes nonbloody nocturnal stools, fecal urgency, abdominal pain, arthralgias, weight loss. course variable; some patients experience occasional, intermittent symptoms, others demonstrate more even progressive symptoms. approach to treatment similar both should be guided by severity patient’s Offending medications highly associated with eliminated as clinically possible. In mild antidiarrheals such loperamide are initial choice; moderate-severe disease, budesonide recommended induction remission. those recurrent low-dose may required maintenance therapy close monitoring potential adverse effects. rare cases, immunomodulators required.