Microscopic colitis found together with celiac disease in a female population is associated with one episode of lymphocytic colitis.

BACKGROUND: Microscopic colitis (MC) is considered a chronic disease associated with autoimmune disease, smoking, and drugs. The aim was to examine the association between MC and celiac disease, adjusted for smoking, considering subtypes and clinical course of the disease in a retrospectively collected female cohort. METHODS: Women (n = 240), ≤ 73 years, diagnosed as MC in medical records or pathological registers were invited. One hundred and fifty-eight women accepted to be included. Participants completed a study questionnaire about sociodemographic factors, lifestyle habits, and medical history; the Rome III questionnaire; and the visual analog scale for irritable bowel syndrome (VAS-IBS). Participants were categorized into collagenous colitis (CC) (n = 92) and lymphocytic colitis (LC) (n = 66) or MC with one episode of the disease (n = 70) and refractory MC (n = 88). Presence of IBS-like symptoms were noted. Blood samples were collected and analyzed for anti-transglutaminase antibodies. Differences between groups were calculated and logistic regression was adjusted for smoking habits. RESULTS: MC and celiac disease debuted simultaneously in half of the cases. Celiac disease was most prevalent in LC (12.1% vs. 3.3%; p = 0.05) and MC with one episode (12.9% vs. 2.3%; p = 0.01). Anti-transglutaminase antibodies were found in one patient with one episode of MC. Corticosteroid use was most often found in CC (37.0% vs. 21.2%; p = 0.037) and refractory MC (38.6% vs. 20.0%; p = 0.015). Past smokers were most prevalent in patients with one episode of MC (54.3 vs. 29.5%; p = 0.007). Current smoking was the smoking habit with highest prevalence of IBS-like symptoms. When adjusted for smoking habits, celiac disease was associated with LC (OR: 4.222; 95% CI: 1.020-17.469; p = 0.047) and tended to be inversely associated with refractory MC (OR: 0.210; 95% CI: 0.042-1.506; p = 0.058). CONCLUSION: Celiac disease is most common in patients with one episode of LC. The question remains whether LC in combination with celiac disease should be classified as celiac disease or two different entities.

Regional differences in the incidence of lymphocytic and collagenous colitis over time.

BACKGROUND: In microscopic colitis (MC), the incidence has increased over the last decades. The aim of the present study was to determine the incidence of lymphocytic (LC) and collagenous colitis (CC) in the county Skåne (Scania), southern Sweden, during the period 2010-20 with focus both on the temporal and spatial variations. METHODS: The MC diagnosis was retrieved from the biopsy registries at the Departments of Pathology. Established diagnostic criteria (increased lymphocyte count, inflammation in lamina propria and in CC a collagen band) were used for diagnosis. Age, gender, date for diagnosis and municipality of residence were retrieved for all patients. RESULTS: In total 1985 patients could be identified with a mean age of 62.9 years (SD 15.7) whereof 1415 were women. The incidence for CC was stable with a total age-standardized rate (ASR) per 100 000 person-years of 6.34, (range 4.6-8.1). In LC the ASR was 7.90 (range 1.7-15.2) but increased markedly 2015-20 reaching 15.2 in 2019. Also, the northwest part of the region showed significantly higher ASR:s of LC during the last part of the decade in comparation to the whole region. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of CC was stable during the period while LC differed substantially in a way that indicates that it most probably must be two different disease entities. In LC, in view of the marked and rapid increase, although no definitive explanation could be found, causative environmental factors could be contemplated, why further studies are indicated.

The Epidemiology of Microscopic Colitis in Olmsted County, Minnesota: Population-Based Study From 2011 to 2019.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Epidemiologic studies from Europe and North America have reported an increasing incidence of microscopic colitis (MC) in the late 20th century, followed by a plateau. This population-based study assessed recent incidence trends and the overall prevalence of MC over the past decade. METHODS: Residents of Olmsted County, MN, diagnosed with collagenous colitis (CC) or lymphocytic colitis (LC) between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2019 were identified using the Rochester Epidemiology Project. Clinical variables were abstracted by chart review. Incidence rates were age- and sex-adjusted to the 2010 US population. Associations between incidence and age, sex, and calendar periods were evaluated using Poisson regression analyses. RESULTS: A total of 268 incident cases of MC were identified with a median age at diagnosis of 64 years (range, 19-90 y); 207 (77%) were women. The age- and sex-adjusted incidence of MC was 25.8 (95% CI, 22.7-28.9) cases per 100,000 person-years. The incidence of LC was 15.8 (95% CI, 13.4-18.2) and CC was 9.9 (95% CI, 8.1-11.9) per 100,000 person-years. A higher MC incidence was associated with increasing age and female sex (P < .01). There was no significant trend in age- and sex-adjusted incidence rate over the study period (P = .92). On December 31, 2019, the prevalence of MC, LC, and CC (including cases diagnosed before 2011) was 246.2, 146.1, and 100.1 per 100,000 persons, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of MC and its subtypes was stable between 2011 and 2019, but its prevalence was higher than in previous periods. The incidence of MC continues to be associated with increasing age and female sex.

Gastrointestinal Infection and Risk of Microscopic Colitis: A Nationwide Case-Control Study in Sweden.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Gastrointestinal infections have been linked to changes in the composition and function of gut microbiome and development of inflammatory bowel diseases. We therefore sought to examine the relationship between gastroenteritis and risk of microscopic colitis (MC). METHODS: We conducted a case-control study of all adult patients with MC diagnosed between 1990 and 2016 in Sweden matched to up to 5 general population controls according to age, sex, calendar year, and county. Cases of MC were identified using Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine codes from the ESPRESSO (Epidemiology Strengthened by histoPathology Reports in Sweden) study, a cohort of gastrointestinal pathology reports from all 28 pathology centers in Sweden. We used logistic regression modeling to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Through December of 2016, we matched 13,468 MC cases to 64,479 controls. The prevalence of previous diagnosed gastrointestinal infection was 7.5% among patients with MC, which was significantly higher than in controls (3.0%, Pcomparison < .001). After adjustment, gastroenteritis was associated with an increased risk of MC (aOR 2.63; 95% CI 2.42-2.85). Among specific pathogens, Clostridioides difficile (aOR 4.39; 95% CI 3.42-5.63), Norovirus (aOR 2.87; 95% CI 1.66-4.87), and Escherichia species (aOR 3.82; 95% CI 1.22-11.58), but not Salmonella species, were associated with an increased risk of MC. The association between gastrointestinal infections and risk of MC was stronger for collagenous subtype (aOR 3.23; 95% CI 2.81-3.70) as compared with lymphocytic colitis (aOR 2.51; 95% CI 2.28-2.76; Pheterogeneity = .005). The associations remained significant after adjustment for immune-mediated conditions and polypharmacy and when compared with unaffected siblings. CONCLUSION: In a nationwide study, we found that gastrointestinal infection, particularly Clostridioides difficile, is associated with an increased risk of subsequent MC. This study was approved by the Regional Ethics Committee, Stockholm, Sweden (Protocol no. 2014/1287-31/4).

Microscopic colitis in Northern Ireland: an updated clinicopathological audit and assessment of compliance with European guidelines.

AIM: We previously reported the first population-based study of the epidemiology of microscopic colitis in Northern Ireland. The aim of the current study is to provide updated data on incidence, diagnostic methods and clinicopathological associations, following dissemination of the previous report. A further aim was to compare the findings against relevant recommendations from the 2020 European guidelines. METHOD: Study cases were identified via the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust pathology laboratory system for new cases of collagenous colitis or lymphocytic colitis diagnosed from 2017 to 2020 inclusive. Demographic and clinical information was collated from electronic healthcare records. RESULTS: Two hundred and seventeen new diagnoses of microscopic colitis were made between 2017 and 2020, comprising 89 (41%) collagenous colitis and 128 (59%) lymphocytic colitis. The overall incidence of microscopic colitis, expressed per 100,000 adult population, ranged from 7.6 to 11.5 (5.9 to 9.0 per 100,000 total population). The 2019 peak of 11.5 cases per 100,000 adult population represents a 71.6% increase in incidence compared with the mean incidence of 6.7 per 100,000 adult population from previous data for 2008-2016. There has also been a significant increase in number of cases diagnosed on separate sampling from the right and left colon (85% in 2019-2020 compared with 30% in 2008-2016; p < 0.001). Overall compliance with coeliac serology testing has improved, with 89% tested in 2017-2018 compared with 75% in 2008-2016. CONCLUSION: Clinicopathological communication has contributed to an increased incidence of microscopic colitis in Northern Ireland through better endoscopic diagnostic sampling and pathology coding practices. Coeliac serology testing has also improved, although continued clinical awareness is required of the need for coeliac serology testing in all patients diagnosed with microscopic colitis.

Epidemiological and clinical characteristics, and response to treatment in 113 patients with microscopic colitis. / Características epidemiológicas, clínicas y respuesta al tratamiento en 113 pacientes con colitis microscópica.

OBJECTIVE: To study the epidemiological and clinical characteristics, and response to treatment in patients with microscopic colitis. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Epidemiological, clinical, blood test and endoscopic data were retrospectively collected from 113 patients with microscopic colitis. Response to treatment was analyzed in 104 of them. Efficacy and relapse after treatment with budesonide were assessed using survival curves (Kaplan-Meier). RESULTS: 78% of the patients were women, with a mean age of 65 ± 16 years. In smokers, the mean age was 10 years younger. 48% of them had some concomitant autoimmune disease; 60% suffered a single outbreak of the disease. The clinical presentation was similar in both subtypes, although patients with collagenous colitis had a chronic course more frequently (48% vs. 29%, p = 0.047). The remission rate with budesonide was 93% (95% CI 82-98). The cumulative incidence of relapse, after a median follow-up of 21 months, was 39% (95% CI 26-54%): 19% at one year, 32% at two years, and 46% at three years of follow-up. There were no differences in clinical response to budesonide based on smoking habit or microscopic colitis subtype. CONCLUSIONS: Microscopic colitis is more frequent in elderly women. Smoking was associated with earlier onset of the disease, although it did not influence the clinical course or response to treatment. The majority (> 90%) of patients treated with budesonide achieved remission, although nearly half subsequently relapsed.

Microscopic colitis and its associations with complications observed in classic inflammatory bowel disease: a systematic review.

Objectives: Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are associated with an increased risk to develop anemia, cutaneous diseases, liver diseases, malignancy, osteoporosis, rheumatic diseases, thromboembolism and uveitis. The association between these diseases and microscopic colitis (MC) is not known. The aim of the present systematic review was to examine associations between MC and diseases observed in association with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.Material and methods: According to the review protocol, original articles which described the prevalence of abovementioned diseases in relation to MC, were searched for in PubMed, Embase and Web of Science.Results: After exclusion of duplicates, 928 articles remained. Based on relevancy of their title, abstract or type of article, 16 articles were ordered in full text and after assessment, nine articles could be included in the review. A second research strategy with individual diseases rendered further two articles. Seven articles covered malignancy/neoplasia, where four showed no association with malignancy and three a reduced association compared with controls. Four articles covering rheumatic diseases showed an association between these diseases and MC. One study showed an association between MC and osteoporosis, whereas one did not. One study showed an association between MC and cutaneous diseases, whereas anemia, eye diseases and thromboembolism showed no associations.Conclusions: Due to short follow-up time in small studies, with selection bias due to exclusion of former or prevalent malignancy in an older population, no conclusions can be drawn concerning the true association between MC and malignancy. Rheumatic diseases seem to be associated with MC.

Retrospective study recommends endoscopy when diagnosing lymphocytic colitis or eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorder in children with abdominal pain.

AIM: This study assessed the prevalence, clinical presentation and outcome of lymphocytic colitis (LC) and eosinophilic gastrointestinal disease (EGID) in children with severe, recurrent abdominal pain (RAP), by describing the predominant symptoms, diagnostic approaches and treatment options. METHODS: We performed a retrospective follow-up study at a Danish regional hospital by reviewing the histology reports of the children who had undergone gastrointestinal endoscopy for RAP. Data were retrieved from the medical records of those who met the diagnostic criteria for LC and, or, EGID from 2011 to 2016. The study population comprised 381 patients who underwent a diagnostic process to clarify RAP. RESULTS: A total of 74 patients (39 females) aged 2-17 years, with severe RAP as the most predominant symptom underwent gastrointestinal endoscopy. This identified 16/74 (21.6%) with LC (n = 6) and, or, EGID (n = 11), which equated to 4.2% with RAP. No biochemical patterns of abnormalities were found. Medical treatment and, or, diet generally induced and maintained clinical remission. CONCLUSION: We found 16 children with LC and, or, EGID. The predominant symptom was severe RAP. All patients had a macroscopically normal mucosa at endoscopy, a specific histopathological feature and no characteristic biochemical findings. Endoscopy should be considered in these cases.

Microscopic colitis in patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease: a retrospective observational study and review of the literature.

OBJECTIVES: Onset of microscopic colitis (MC) in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn's disease (CD), or vice versa, has been reported occasionally but the subject is not well described. We therefore report a retrospective observational study of such patients and review the literature. METHODS: Forty-six Swedish gastroenterology clinics were contacted about patients with diagnoses of both inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and MC. Publications were searched on PubMed. RESULTS: We identified 31 patients with onset of MC after a median (range) of 20 (2-52) years after diagnosis of IBD, or vice versa; 21 UC patients developed collagenous colitis (CC) (n = 16) or lymphocytic colitis (LC) (n = 5); nine CD patients developed CC (n = 5) or LC (n = 4); one CC patient developed CD. Of the 21 UC patients, 18 had extensive disease, whereas no consistent phenotype occurred in CD. Literature review revealed 27 comprehensive case reports of patients with diagnoses of both IBD and MC. Thirteen MC patients developed IBD, of which four required colectomy. Fourteen IBD patients later developed MC. There were incomplete clinical data in 115 additional reported patients. CONCLUSIONS: Altogether 173 patients with occurrence of both IBD and MC were found. The most common finding in our patients was onset of CC in a patient with UC. Although these are likely random associations of two different disorders, MC should be considered in the patient with UC or CD if there is onset of chronic watery diarrhoea without endoscopic relapse of IBD.

Microscopic colitis: a population-based case series over a 9-year period in Northern Ireland.

AIM: We report clinicopathological experience of microscopic colitis (MC) in a population-based case series in Northern Ireland over a 9-year period. METHOD: The pathology laboratory information system within a large teaching centre serving two healthcare trusts was interrogated for cases coded between 2008 and 2016 as collagenous colitis (CC) or lymphocytic colitis (LC). Demographic, clinical and follow-up information was collected from healthcare records. RESULTS: A total of 326 new diagnoses of MC were identified, an average annual incidence of 6.7 per 100 000 population. The average annual incidence of CC and LC was 5.0 and 1.7 per 100 000 population, respectively. For coding reasons it is likely that LC data are incomplete. Of 191 cases diagnosed by specialist gastrointestinal pathologists, 141 patients had CC and 50 patients had LC. Both CC and LC predominantly involved women aged 60-79. Some 15% demonstrated endoscopic abnormalities. Endoscopic sampling protocols varied widely: 30% of individuals with CC and 32% of those with LC had the right and left colon sampled separately, with histology concordant in 95% of cases. Of the 191 cases, only one case (of LC) was refractory to treatment; the rest exhibited a clinical response. Only 35 patients had follow-up endoscopy and biopsies, and three of each diagnosis showed persistent disease on histology. CONCLUSION: Overall, CC and LC are benign conditions with similar demographics, clinical associations, management and outcomes. Separate sampling of the right and left colon is advised at colonoscopy if this diagnosis is being considered, but left colonic sampling, which can be performed at flexible sigmoidoscopy, will diagnose the vast majority of cases.

Macroscopic findings, incidence and characteristics of microscopic colitis in a large cohort of patients from the United Kingdom.

OBJECTIVE: Microscopic colitis (MC) is classically associated with normal or near-normal endoscopic appearances. However, non-specific macroscopic findings have been described, the importance of biopsy location for confirming a diagnosis of MC is unclear, and reported incidence data from the United Kingdom are limited. This study was designed to assess macroscopic features, incidence, demographics, and location and positivity of biopsy samples in MC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective, cross-sectional study of individuals with newly diagnosed MC. RESULTS: From 2010 to 2015, 540 cases of MC were reported. Macroscopic findings occurred in 16.5% (n = 89) cases, with trends towards increased frequency of ulceration or linear scarring in collagenous colitis (CC). The mean incidence of MC was 11.3 per 100,000 population/year, including 291 (53.9%) with CC (incidence 6.1 per 100,000/year), 203 (37.6%) with lymphocytic colitis (incidence 4.2 per 100,000/year) and 46 (8.5%) with MC, not otherwise specified. Most individuals were female (70.2%). Common features in patients with MC included symptom duration <6 months, weight loss, abdominal pain and use of proton pump inhibitors, statins, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. In individuals with right- and left-sided biopsies taken, 98.2% had diagnostic features in both. However, rectal biopsies were only positive in 88.7%. CONCLUSIONS: One in six patients with MC demonstrated distinct macroscopic findings at colonoscopy. Our data confirm a female preponderance in MC, a relatively short symptom duration and use of certain drugs as common features. Both right- and left-sided biopsies were frequently positive, suggesting flexible sigmoidoscopy and biopsy could confirm a diagnosis in certain individuals.

Incidence, Clinical Presentation, and Associated Factors of Microscopic Colitis in Northern France: A Population-Based Study.

OBJECTIVE: To date, there are no epidemiological data on microscopic colitis (MC) in France. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of MC in the Somme department in Northern France, to evaluate clinical characteristics, and to search for risk factors for both collagenous colitis (CC) and lymphocytic colitis (LC). DESIGN: Between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2007, four pathology units in the Somme department recorded all new cases of MC diagnosed in patients living in the area. Colonic biopsies were reviewed by 4 pathologists together. For each incident case, demographic, clinical, endoscopic, and biological data were collected according to methodology of the EPIMAD registry. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty cases of MC, including 87 CC and 43 LC, were recorded during the three-year study. The mean annual incidence for MC was 7.9/105 inhabitants, 5.3/105 inhabitants for CC, and 2.6/105 inhabitants for LC. Annual standardized incidence of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis in the EPIMAD registry during the same period (2005-2007) were 7.4/105 and 4.9/105, respectively. Median age at diagnosis was 63 years for MC, 70 for CC, and 48 for LC. The female-to-male gender ratio was 3.5 for MC, 4.1 for CC, and 2.6 for LC. Median time to diagnosis was 8 weeks. Chronic diarrhea and abdominal pain were, respectively, present in 93 and 47 % of the cases. An autoimmune disease was associated in 28 % of MC cases. At diagnosis, proton pump inhibitor treatment was more often reported in CC than in LC (46 vs 16 %; p = 0.003). Budesonide was effective on diarrhea in 77 % of patients, and thirteen percent of patients became steroid dependent. CONCLUSION: This population-based study shows that the incidence of MC in France is high and similar to Crohn's disease incidence and confirms that this condition is associated with female gender, autoimmune diseases, and medications.

Microscopic colitis: a descriptive clinical cohort study of 795 patients with collagenous and lymphocytic colitis.

OBJECTIVE: Microscopic colitis is a common cause of chronic diarrhoea in the Scandinavian countries. This report comprises demographic data, clinical and endoscopic features, and occurrence of coeliac and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in a large urban cohort of patients with lymphocytic colitis (LC) and collagenous colitis (CC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 795 patients with microscopic colitis from two hospitals in Stockholm were included. Medical records were reviewed and clinical data, including endoscopic and histological findings, were compiled. RESULTS: Forty-three percent had CC (female:male ratio 3.7:1) and 57% had LC (female:male ratio 2.7:1). The mean age at diagnosis of CC was 63 years and of LC was 59 years (p = 0.005). Clinical features were similar in both entities, but the intensity of symptoms differed. Watery diarrhoea was reported in 55% in CC patients versus in 43% in LC patients (p = 0.0014), and nocturnal diarrhoea in 28% versus 18% (p = 0.002). Subtle endoscopic mucosal findings were reported in 37% of the CC patients and in 25% of the LC patients (p = 0.0011). Colorectal adenomatous polyps were found in 5.3% of all patients. Coeliac disease occurred in 6% and IBD occurred in 2.1% of all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical features of LC and CC are similar but not identical. CC seems to be a more severe type of bowel inflammation and LC tends to occur earlier in life. Both forms might indeed feature endoscopic findings despite the designation 'microscopic'. Our study confirms the strong association with coeliac disease.

Incidence, prevalence, and temporal trends of microscopic colitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to provide an accurate estimate of the incidence rate of microscopic colitis (MC) and to assess the association between medication use and the risk of MC. METHODS: We searched Medline, Embase, and Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) Web of Science up to 26 September 2014 to identify published epidemiological studies of MC. The pooled incidence rate, female-to-male incidence rate ratio, age at diagnosis, prevalence, as well as odds ratios (ORs) of MC in association with medication use were calculated using a fixed-effects model or a random-effects model. RESULTS: Of the 1,972 citations retrieved, 25 studies were included. Pooled incidence rate of collagenous colitis (CC) was 4.14 (95% confidence interval (CI) 2.89-5.40) per 100,000 person-years and 4.85 (95% CI, 3.45-6.25) for lymphocytic colitis (LC). The female-to-male incidence rate ratios were 3.05 (95% CI 2.92-3.19) for CC and 1.92 (95% CI 1.53-2.31) for LC. The median age at diagnosis for CC was 64.9 (range, 57.03-72.78) years, similar to LC (median 62.18, range 53.99-70.38). Furthermore, the incidence rate of MC increased with rising age. A steadily increasing trend of incidence rate for both CC and LC was observed before 2000; however, the incidence rate since then has become stable in the United States, Sweden, and Spain. An increased risk of MC was associated with the use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (OR 2.68, 95% CI 1.73-4.17 and OR 2.41, 95% CI 1.64-3.53, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: MC is a common disease process. Female gender, increased age, and the use of PPIs and SSRIs are associated with a significantly increased risk of developing MC. Further work is needed to evaluate reported data from developing countries and to elucidate the biologic mechanisms behind the risk factors for MC.

The epidemiology of microscopic colitis: a 10-year pathology-based nationwide Danish cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: Microscopic colitis (MC) includes two main types: collagenous colitis (CC) and lymphocytic colitis (LC). Previous studies have indicated an increasing incidence, but these have mainly been based on regional databases. We found it important to study the epidemiology based on a comprehensive nationwide cohort. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied the epidemiological data of MC in Denmark from 2002 to 2011. The cohort consisted of all patients with a recorded diagnosis of either CC or LC in the Danish Pathology Register during the study period. Data on all patients with a registered colon biopsy were also included. RESULTS: A total of 7777 patients, 4749 (61%) with CC and 3028 (39%) with LC, were identified. Over the study period, the annual incidence of diagnosed cases of CC increased from 2.9/10(5) to 14.9/10(5) and of LC from 1.7/10(5) to 9.8/10(5). In 2011, the incidence of MC was 24.7/10(5) inhabitants. The age-specific incidence showed that the risk of both CC and LC increased with age. The female/male ratio, distribution of the type of colitis and mean age at diagnosis were relatively stable during the study period. The annual number of registered colon biopsies in the pathology register increased from 21.583 in 2002 to 39.733 in 2011, indicating an increased diagnostic activity. CONCLUSION: In a nationwide cohort study, the incidence of CC and LC continued to increase from 2002 to 2011. An increased diagnostic activity could in part explain the increase in the number of diagnosed cases.

Microscopic colitis or functional bowel disease with diarrhea: a French prospective multicenter study.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the characteristics of a cohort of patients with microscopic colitis (MC; lymphocytic (LC) or collagenous (CC) colitis) and to compare them with patients with functional bowel disorder with diarrhea (FBD-D). METHODS: Between September 2010 and June 2012, patients fulfilling the following inclusion criteria were prospectively included in 26 centers in France: (i) having at least three bowel movements daily with change in stool consistency; (ii) duration of abnormal bowel habit >4 weeks; and (iii) normal or near-normal colonoscopy. Each patient underwent a colonoscopy and colonic biopsies. We compared the demographic, clinical, biological, and etiological characteristic of patients with MC (CC and LC) with those of control patients with FBD-D. RESULTS: A total of 433 patients were included: 129 with MC (87 LC and 42 CC), 23 with another organic disease, and 278 with FDB-D, including patients with diarrhea and abdominal pain who met the criteria of Rome III (irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea) and patients with functional diarrhea without abdominal pain. Logistic regression analysis identified the following independent predictors of MC: age >50 years (odds ratio (OR)=3.1, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.6-5.9), presence of nocturnal stools (OR=2, 95% CI=1.1-3.9), weight loss (OR=2.5, 95% CI=1.3-4.7), duration of diarrhea <12 months (OR=2.0, 95% CI=1.1-3.5), recent introduction of new drugs (OR=3.7, 95% CI=2.1-6.6; P<0.0001), and the presence of a known autoimmune disorder (OR=5.5, 95% CI=2.5-12). CONCLUSIONS: Age >50 years, the presence of nocturnal stools, weight loss, the introduction of a new drug, and the presence of a known autoimmune disease increase the probability of MC and thus the indication for colonoscopy with biopsies.

Smoking- and alcohol habits in relation to the clinical picture of women with microscopic colitis compared to controls.

BACKGROUND: Microscopic colitis (MC) induces gastrointestinal symptoms, which are partly overlapping with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), predominately in middle-aged and elderly women. The etiology is unknown, but association with smoking has been found. The aim of this study was to examine whether the increased risk for smokers to develop MC is a true association, or rather the result of confounding factors. Therefore, patients suffering from MC and population-based controls from the same geographic area were studied regarding smoking- and alcohol habits, and other simultaneous, lifestyle factors, concerning the clinical expression of the disease. METHODS: Women at the age of 73 years or younger, who had been treated for biopsy-verified MC at any of the Departments of Gastroenterology in Skåne, between 2002 and 2010, were invited to the study (240 patients). Women (737) from the population-based prospective cohort study, Malmö Diet and Cancer Study (MDCS), served as controls. A self-administered questionnaire about lifestyle factors, gastrointestinal symptoms, medical conditions and medication at the time for the study was sent by post. RESULTS: Altogether, 131 women with MC could be included after age-matching with controls (median age 56 years) and exclusion of secondary MC. Patients were divided into persistent MC (MC1) and transient MC (MC2). Past smoking was associated with increased risk to develop MC2 (OR = 2.67, 95 CI = 1.15-6.23), whereas current smoking was associated with increased risk to develop MC1 (OR = 3.18, 95 CI = 1.57-6.42). Concomitant symptoms of IBS were associated with smoking (OR = 4.24, 95 CI = 1.92-9.32). Alcohol drinking had no association with MC or IBS. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that past smoking is associated with transient MC, whereas current smoking is associated with persistent MC. Smoking is associated with MC patients with concomitant IBS-like symptoms.

Microscopic colitis in children with chronic diarrhea.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to study microscopic colitis (MC) in children with special reference to its role in chronic diarrhea and changes in mucosal biopsies. METHODS: A total of 100 consecutive children ages 3 to 12 years, with nonbloody diarrhea (passage of ≥3 loose stools per day) of >12 weeks' duration were screened and 26 were enrolled in the study in which no specific etiology could be found and colonoscopy did not reveal any mucosal abnormality. Colonic biopsies were evaluated for the presence of lymphocytic colitis or collagenous colitis and those with the characteristic changes were defined to have MC (group A). Colonic biopsies from patients with MC were compared with biopsies from patients with chronic diarrhea but no evidence of MC (group B). One hundred children ages 3 to 12 years with bleeding per rectum were screened and colonic biopsies from 45 patients (group C) who had colonic mucosal changes but no vascular or polyp lesion were compared with patients with MC. RESULTS: Of the 26 patients with chronic diarrhea, MC was found in 5 (3 lymphocytic colitis and 2 collagenous colitis). Significantly higher polymorphonuclear infiltration was seen in group A as compared with group B (13.8 [5.4-20.6] vs 7.2 [0-19.6]; P = 0.03) or group C (13.8 [5.4-20.6] vs 4 [0-13.4]; P = 0.007). Intraepithelial lymphocytes (12 [4-32] vs 4 [0-24]; P = 0.008) and basement membrane thickening (3.5 [2.9-10.6] vs 2.5 [1.6-5.86]; P = 0.008) were also significantly higher in group A as compared with group C. CONCLUSIONS: MC was found to be present in children with nonbloody chronic diarrhea in children. Further multicentric studies may provide adequate data on its prevalence.

Lymphocytic and collagenous colitis: epidemiologic differences and similarities.

BACKGROUND: It is unknown whether the subtypes of microscopic colitis (MC) represent distinct nosologic entities or related presentations of the same disease. Our aim was to search for epidemiologic differences among its various histopathologic subtypes. METHODS: In a computerized database of 789,568 colon pathology reports, we compared the characteristics of 8,745 MC patients with those of the remaining population. RESULTS: MC was diagnosed as three distinct histopathologic subtypes: lymphocytic colitis (LC) in 51 %, collagenous colitis (CC) in 43 %, and incomplete colitis (IC) in 6 % of patients. Only 0.65 % was simultaneously diagnosed with more than one subtype of MC. The prevalence of all three subtypes showed an age-dependent rise, with the average age (SD) being 63.3 (14.3) years in LC, 66.4 (12.1) years in CC, and 67.3 (12.7) years in IC (p < 0.0001). There was a striking female predominance in all three subtypes, the female fraction being 72 % in LC, 82 % in CC, and 79 % in IC (p < 0.0001). All three subtypes showed similar geographic distributions among different US states. They were similarly associated with diarrhea and weight loss, the odds ratios for all MC being 45.92 (43.35-48.63) and 5.12 (4.68-5.60), respectively, compared to control patients without MC. All three subtypes also harbored significantly less colonic adenomas, the overall odds ratio being 0.11 (0.10-0.12). CONCLUSION: MC comes in three distinct histopathologic entities, which show striking similarities of their general epidemiologic features. The slight differences in their demographic characteristics could point at varying sets of environmental influences that affect the occurrence of subtypes.