Evaluation of Microscopic Colitis among Chronic Diarrhea Patients in Shariati Hospital in Isfahan

There are many possible causes of chronic diarrhea such as microscopic colitis (MC). This study evaluates of MC among patients presented with chronic watery diarrhea. It was done colonoscopy for patient with watery diarrhea without known cause. If colonoscopy was normal, multiple mucosal biopsies would be taken from right and left colon. Histological characteristics of lymphocytic colitis and collagenous colitis were assessed in all biopsy specimens. All other patients with normal or uncharacteristic histology were considered as the control group. Demographic characteristics, duration of symptoms and past history of drug intake were compared between the two groups. 33 (27%) had lymphocytic colitis and nobody had collagenous colitis. Mean (SD) duration of symptoms were 8.5 (3.4) and 10.1 (11.1) months in the patients with MC and the control group, respectively. No significant difference in the mean duration of symptoms between the two groups. No significant difference in drug intake between the two groups. The diagnostic lymphocytic colitis frequency was higher than expected. As regard to high rate of MC in patients with chronic watery diarrhea, it is suggest that to be carry out colonic mucosal biopsy for these patients with normal colonoscopy in order to timely diagnosis of MC and its appropriately treatment.