Open AccessMicroscopic colitis: an update
Author(s) -
Radu A. Fărcaș,
Simona Grad,
Dan L. Dumitraşcu
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
medicine and pharmacy reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.35
H-Index - 16
eISSN - 2668-0572
pISSN - 2602-0807
DOI - 10.15386/mpr-2389
Subject(s) - microscopic colitis , lymphocytic colitis , colitis , medicine , collagenous colitis , diarrhea , bloody diarrhea , chronic diarrhea , inflammatory bowel diseases , gastroenterology , inflammatory bowel disease , pathology , intensive care medicine , disease
Microscopic colitis (MC) is an inflammatory pathology of the bowel diagnosed predominantly in older patients. MC is a cause of chronic watery, non-bloody diarrhea, that affects the older patients, mostly women, and leads to impaired health-related quality of life. The diagnosis and treatment can be often difficult. There are three main histological subtypes: collagenous colitis, lymphocytic colitis and incomplete microscopic colitis. Because of the variable nature of this pathology, the therapeutic options should be individualized for every patient. MC has a variable course, varying from occasional symptoms to recurrent or progressive symptoms. A literature search was performed on the main databases. Data on microscopic colitis was collected and presented. This comprehensive review aims to raise awareness of this pathology while providing the latest data regarding current recommendations. General practitioners and gastroenterologists should always take microscopic colitis into consideration when diagnosing a patient with chronic diarrhea.