Microscopic colitis (MC) is a relatively common cause of chronic watery diarrhea, especially in older population. This article is a brief synopsis of an original article published in The American Journal of Gastroenterology. Clinical features Most common symptom : Chronic or intermittent watery diarrhea, ranging in severity from mild to severe with dehydration and electrolyte abnormalities. Others: Abdominal pain, mild weight loss, and arthralgia Symptoms of MC are non-specific, and many patients meet the diagnostic criteria for irritable bowel syndrome.
Severe weight loss raises the possibility of such as celiac disease. Colon biopsies are therefore required to definitively distinguish MC from the much more common irritable bowel syndrome. Subtypes of MC: similar clinically and epidemiologically, differ histologically Collagenous colitis Lymphocytic colitis Other autoimmune disorders,…
