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Peery AF, Khalili H, Münch A, Pardi DS. Update on the Epidemiology and Management of Microscopic Colitis. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2025; 23:490-500. [PMID: 39270919 PMCID: PMC11825284 DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2024.08.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2024] [Revised: 08/11/2024] [Accepted: 08/12/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024]
Abstract
Microscopic colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease that commonly presents with debilitating chronic watery diarrhea. Recent epidemiologic studies and randomized trials of therapeutics have improved the understanding of the disease. Medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, proton pump inhibitors, and antidepressants, have traditionally been considered as the main risk factors for microscopic colitis. However, recent studies have challenged this observation. Additionally, several epidemiologic studies have identified other risk factors for the disease including older age, female sex, smoking, alcohol use, immune-mediated diseases, and select gastrointestinal infections. The diagnosis of microscopic colitis requires histologic assessment of colon biopsies with findings including increased in intraepithelial lymphocytes with or without expansion of the subepithelial collagen band. The pathophysiology is poorly understood but is thought to be related to an aberrant immune response to the luminal microenvironment in genetically susceptible individuals. Antidiarrheal medications, such as loperamide or bismuth subsalicylate, may be sufficient in patients with mild symptoms. In patients with more severe symptoms, treatment with budesonide is recommended. Maintenance therapy is often necessary and several potential treatment strategies are available. Biologic and small molecule treatments seem to be effective in patients who have failed budesonide. There is an unmet need to further define the pathophysiology of microscopic colitis. Additionally, trials with novel therapies, particularly in patients with budesonide-refractory disease, are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne F. Peery
- University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Hamed Khalili
- Gastroenterology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard
| | - Andreas Münch
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
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2
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Rutkowski K, Udrycka K, Włodarczyk B, Małecka-Wojciesko E. Microscopic Colitis: An Underestimated Disease of Growing Importance. J Clin Med 2024; 13:5683. [PMID: 39407743 PMCID: PMC11476874 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13195683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2024] [Revised: 09/18/2024] [Accepted: 09/20/2024] [Indexed: 10/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to raise awareness of MC as a clinically significant condition and to highlight its under-recognition, risk factors, diagnosis, management, and complications. This paper underlines the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges associated with the often nonspecific symptoms of MC. In order to create this article, we reviewed available articles found in the PubMed database and searched for articles using the Google Scholar platform. Microscopic colitis (MC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease, classified into three types: lymphocytic, collagenous, and unspecified. The average age of onset of MC is around 62-65 years and the disease is more common in women than men (nine times more common). The main symptom of MC is watery diarrhoea without blood, other symptoms include defecatory urgency, faecal incontinence, abdominal pain, nocturnal bowel movements, and weight loss. Once considered a rare disease, MC is now being diagnosed with increasing frequency, but diagnosis remains difficult. To date, a number of causative factors for MC have been identified, including smoking, alcohol consumption, medications (including NSAIDs, PPIs, SSRIs, and ICPIs), genetic factors, autoimmune diseases, bile acid malabsorption, obesity, appendicitis, and intestinal dysbiosis. It may be difficult to recognize and should be differentiated from inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), coeliac disease, infectious bowel disease, and others. Diagnosis involves biopsy at colonoscopy and histopathological evaluation of the samples. Treatment consists of budesonide oral (the gold standard) or enema. Alternatives include bile acid sequestrants (cholestyramine, colesevelam, and colestipol), biologics (infliximab, adalimumab, and vedolizumab), thiopurines, methotrexate, and rarely, surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamil Rutkowski
- Department of Digestive Tract Disease, Medical University of Lodz, 90-647 Lodz, Poland; (K.U.); (B.W.); (E.M.-W.)
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3
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Bhowmik S, Mehra L, Ghosh T, Akhtar S, Tiwari A, Dutta R, Kedia S, Yadav R, Makharia GK, Ahuja V, Das P. A Systematic Review and Metaanalysis to Examine the Utility of Histological Parameters Such as Mucosal Basal Plasmacytosis and Eosinophilia for Distinguishing Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Non-IBD-Type Colitis. Int J Surg Pathol 2024:10668969241271352. [PMID: 39300818 DOI: 10.1177/10668969241271352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/22/2024]
Abstract
Background and aim: Basic differentiation between an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)-type colitis and a non-IBD type of colitis is the essential histological pre-requisite before further subclassifications are made. The combination of mucosal prominent eosinophilic cell infiltrate along with basal plasmacytosis is supposed to be a useful histological feature that can differentiate between IBD-type and non-IBD-type colitis. Hence, this systematic review and metaanalysis aimed to assess the reliability of mucosal basal plasmacytosis and eosinophilia for histological differentiation of IBD-type versus non-IBD-type colitis. Methods: We searched the PROSPERO, PubMed, Embase, and Scopus from January 1, 2000 to July 30, 2022 for all types of studies (prospective, cross-sectional, or retrospective studies) having histological features (including mucosal basal plasmacytosis, eosinophilia, and neutrophilic infiltration) in IBD and/or non-IBD colitis cases. Two reviewers extracted data, which were aggregated using random-effects models. Results: The 59 selected articles were evaluated for the predecided parameters. Both basal plasmacytosis and lamina propria plasmacytosis did not show any significant correlation between IBD-type and non-IBD-type colitis. The proportions for basal plasmacytosis with 95% CI were 0.50 (0.19-0.82) in IBD-type colitis and 0.46 (0.40-0.52) in non-IBD-type colitis, with a P value of .79. The proportion of lamina propria plasmacytosis with 95% CI was 0.67 (0.42-0.92) in IBD and 0.60 (0.35-0.85) in non-IBD-type colitis, with a P value being .7. Conclusions: This systematic review documented the dearth of published data on key histological features such as basal plasmacytosis and mucosal eosinophilia which are believed to differentiate between IBD-type and non-IBD-type colitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shubham Bhowmik
- Department of Pathology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, DL, India
| | - Lalita Mehra
- Department of Pathology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, DL, India
| | - Tamoghna Ghosh
- Department of Pathology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, DL, India
| | - Sagir Akhtar
- Department of Pathology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, DL, India
| | - Ashok Tiwari
- Department of Pathology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, DL, India
| | - Rimlee Dutta
- Department of Pathology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, DL, India
| | - Saurav Kedia
- Department of Gastroenterology All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, DL, India
| | - Rajni Yadav
- Department of Pathology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, DL, India
| | - Govind K Makharia
- Department of Gastroenterology All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, DL, India
| | - Vineet Ahuja
- Department of Gastroenterology All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, DL, India
| | - Prasenjit Das
- Department of Pathology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, DL, India
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4
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Bhardwaj A, Münch A, Montague J, Koch S, Rosenstiel P, Escudero‐Hernández C. Lymphocytic colitis can be transcriptionally divided into channelopathic and inflammatory lymphocytic colitis. United European Gastroenterol J 2024; 12:737-748. [PMID: 38366868 PMCID: PMC11250513 DOI: 10.1002/ueg2.12531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The pathobiology of the non-destructive inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) lymphocytic colitis (LC) is poorly understood. We aimed to define an LC-specific mucosal transcriptome to gain insight into LC pathology, identify unique genomic signatures, and uncover potentially druggable disease pathways. METHODS We performed bulk RNA-sequencing of LC and collagenous colitis (CC) colonic mucosa from patients with active disease, and healthy controls (n = 4-10 per cohort). Differential gene expression was analyzed by gene-set enrichment and deconvolution analyses to identify pathologically relevant pathways and cells, respectively, altered in LC. Key findings were validated using reverse transcription quantitative PCR and/or immunohistochemistry. Finally, we compared our data with a previous cohort of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease patients (n = 4 per group) to distinguish non-destructive from classic IBD. RESULTS LC can be subdivided into channelopathic LC, which is governed by organic acid and ion transport dysregulation, and inflammatory LC, which is driven by microbial immune responses. Inflammatory LC displays an innate and adaptive immunity that is limited compared to CC and classic IBD. Conversely, we noted a distinct induction of regulatory non-coding RNA species in inflammatory LC samples. Moreover, compared with CC, water channel and cell adhesion molecule gene expression decreased in channelopathic LC, whereas it was accentuated in inflammatory LC and associated with reduced intestinal epithelial cell proliferation. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that LC can be subdivided into channelopathic LC and inflammatory LC that could be pathomechanistically distinct subtypes despite their shared clinical presentation. Inflammatory LC exhibits a dampened immune response compared to CC and classic IBDs. Our results point to regulatory micro-RNAs as a potential disease-specific feature that may be amenable to therapeutic intervention.
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MESH Headings
- Humans
- Colitis, Lymphocytic/genetics
- Colitis, Lymphocytic/immunology
- Intestinal Mucosa/immunology
- Intestinal Mucosa/pathology
- Intestinal Mucosa/metabolism
- Transcriptome
- Female
- Colitis, Collagenous/immunology
- Colitis, Collagenous/genetics
- Colitis, Collagenous/pathology
- Colitis, Collagenous/diagnosis
- Crohn Disease/immunology
- Crohn Disease/genetics
- Crohn Disease/pathology
- Crohn Disease/diagnosis
- Male
- Colon/immunology
- Colon/pathology
- Middle Aged
- Case-Control Studies
- Gene Expression Profiling
- Colitis, Ulcerative/immunology
- Colitis, Ulcerative/genetics
- Colitis, Ulcerative/pathology
- Colitis, Ulcerative/diagnosis
- Adult
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Affiliation(s)
- Archana Bhardwaj
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology (IKMB)Christian‐Albrechts‐University and University Hospital Schleswig‐HolsteinKielGermany
| | - Andreas Münch
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (BKV)Linköping UniversityLinköpingSweden
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyLinköping UniversityLinköpingSweden
- Department of Health, Medicine, and Caring SciencesLinköping UniversityLinköpingSweden
| | - Julia Montague
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology (IKMB)Christian‐Albrechts‐University and University Hospital Schleswig‐HolsteinKielGermany
| | - Stefan Koch
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (BKV)Linköping UniversityLinköpingSweden
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine (WCMM)Linköping UniversityLinköpingSweden
| | - Philip Rosenstiel
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology (IKMB)Christian‐Albrechts‐University and University Hospital Schleswig‐HolsteinKielGermany
| | - Celia Escudero‐Hernández
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology (IKMB)Christian‐Albrechts‐University and University Hospital Schleswig‐HolsteinKielGermany
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (BKV)Linköping UniversityLinköpingSweden
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5
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Khan HH, Lewin DN, Suppa C. Protein-losing enteropathy secondary to collagenous colitis in a 2-year-old. JPGN REPORTS 2024; 5:178-181. [PMID: 38756128 PMCID: PMC11093903 DOI: 10.1002/jpr3.12051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Protein-losing enteropathy associated with collagenous colitis (CC) is a rare but described entity in the adult population. However, literature regarding this in the pediatric population is scarce. Here we describe a 2-year-old female who presented with fevers, accompanied by nonbloody, watery diarrhea, and decreased oral intake. Work-up was significant for severe hypoalbuminemia at 1.5 grams per deciliter (g/dL), pancytopenia, and elevated fecal alpha-1-antitrypsin at 1.13 milligrams per grams (mg/g). Gastrointestinal mucosal evaluation was normal endoscopically; however, histology was consistent with CC. She responded to 12-week treatment with budesonide with resolution of symptoms and laboratory values. At this point, she has not had a recurrence 1 year later.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamza Hassan Khan
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Shawn Jenkins Children's HospitalMedical University of South CarolinaCharlestonSouth CarolinaUSA
| | - David N. Lewin
- Department of PathologyMedical University of South CarolinaCharlestonSouth CarolinaUSA
| | - Carmine Suppa
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Shawn Jenkins Children's HospitalMedical University of South CarolinaCharlestonSouth CarolinaUSA
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6
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González IA, Conrad M, Weinbrom S, Patel T, Kelsen JR, Russo P. Clinicopathologic Characterization of Lymphocytic Colitis in the Pediatric Population. Pediatr Dev Pathol 2024; 27:156-168. [PMID: 38160439 PMCID: PMC11972057 DOI: 10.1177/10935266231215117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lymphocytic colitis (LC) in the pediatric population has been associated with immune dysregulation. METHODS Single-center retrospective study of pediatric LC. RESULTS 50 patients (35 female, 70%) with a median age of 12 years at diagnosis (interquartile range: 5.7-15.8) of LC were identified. At presentation, 11 patients (22%) had malnutrition, 16 (32%) had a known underlying immune dysregulation, 4 (8%) had celiac disease (CD), and none had a diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease. The most common medications prior to diagnosis were non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, proton pump inhibitor, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (10% each). Colonic biopsies showed a median number of intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs)/100 epithelial cells of 48 (range: 25-85), and only 10% of cases had neutrophilic cryptitis. Upper gastrointestinal tract findings included lymphocytic esophagitis (4%), and duodenal IELs without and with villous blunting (9% each) (n: 47). Ten patients (23%) had increased IELs in the terminal ileum (n: 43). Treatments including 5-ASA, budesonide, prednisone, and gluten-free diet improved symptoms in <50% of patients (n: 42), and all follow-up colonoscopies showed persistent LC (n: 13). CONCLUSION Our study supports the association of LC with immune-mediated conditions, most commonly celiac disease. Symptomatic improvement was seen in <50% of patients with none of the patients with repeat colonoscopy showing histologic improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iván A. González
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Maire Conrad
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sarah Weinbrom
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Trusha Patel
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Judith R. Kelsen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Pierre Russo
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Ilomäki MA, Polari L, Stenvall CGA, Tayyab M, Kähärä K, Ridge KM, Toivola DM. Defining a timeline of colon pathologies after keratin 8 loss: rapid crypt elongation and diarrhea are followed by epithelial erosion and cell exfoliation. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2024; 326:G67-G77. [PMID: 37962942 PMCID: PMC11208023 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00140.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Keratins are epithelial intermediate filament proteins that play a crucial role in cellular stress protection, with K8 being the most abundant in the colon. The intestinal epithelial-specific K8-deficient mouse model (K8flox/flox;Villin-Cre) exhibits characteristics of inflammatory bowel disease, including diarrhea, crypt erosion, hyperproliferation, and decreased barrier function. Nevertheless, the order in which these events occur and whether they are a direct cause of K8 loss or a consequence of one event inducing another remains unexplored. Increased knowledge about early events in the disruption of colon epithelial integrity would help to understand the early pathology of inflammatory and functional colon disorders and develop preclinical models and diagnostics of colonic diseases. Here, we aimed to characterize the order of physiological events after Krt8 loss by utilizing K8flox/flox;Villin-CreERt2 mice with tamoxifen-inducible Krt8 deletion in intestinal epithelial cells, and assess stool analysis as a noninvasive method to monitor real-time gene expression changes following Krt8 loss. K8 protein was significantly decreased within a day after induction, followed by its binding partners, K18 and K19 from day 4 onward. The sequential colonic K8 downregulation in adult mice leads to immediate diarrhea and crypt elongation with activation of proliferation signaling, followed by crypt loss and increased neutrophil activity within 6-8 days, highlighting impaired water balance and crypt elongation as the earliest colonic changes upon Krt8 loss. Furthermore, epithelial gene expression patterns were comparable between colon tissue and stool samples, demonstrating the feasibility of noninvasive monitoring of gut epithelia in preclinical research utilizing Cre-LoxP-based intestinal disease models.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Understanding the order in which physiological and molecular events occur helps to recognize the onset of diseases and improve their preclinical models. We utilized Cre-Lox-based inducible keratin 8 deletion in mouse intestinal epithelium to characterize the earliest events after keratin 8 loss leading to colitis. These include diarrhea and crypt elongation, followed by erosion and neutrophil activity. Our results also support noninvasive methodology for monitoring colon diseases in preclinical models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria A Ilomäki
- Cell Biology, Biosciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
- InFLAMES Research Flagship Center, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Lauri Polari
- Cell Biology, Biosciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
- InFLAMES Research Flagship Center, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Carl-Gustaf A Stenvall
- Cell Biology, Biosciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
- InFLAMES Research Flagship Center, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Mina Tayyab
- Cell Biology, Biosciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
- InFLAMES Research Flagship Center, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Kirah Kähärä
- Cell Biology, Biosciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Karen M Ridge
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, United States
| | - Diana M Toivola
- Cell Biology, Biosciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
- InFLAMES Research Flagship Center, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
- Turku Center for Disease Modeling, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
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Enwerem NY, Yen EF. The colitis may be microscopic, but the diarrhea is not: update on the treatment of microscopic colitis and immune checkpoint inhibitor colitis. Curr Opin Gastroenterol 2024; 40:50-59. [PMID: 37874119 DOI: 10.1097/mog.0000000000000986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Microscopic colitis is an inflammatory disease of the colon that presents as watery diarrhea with minimal to normal endoscopic changes on colonoscopy. It encompasses two common subtypes, lymphocytic colitis and collagenous colitis, which are both treated similarly.Immune checkpoint inhibitor colitis is among the most common immune-related adverse events. Endoscopic and histological findings range from normal colonic mucosa to inflammatory bowel like changes. This review article provides update in treatment and management of microscopic colitis and immune checkpoint inhibitor colitis (ICPi colitis). RECENT FINDINGS Recent studies on microscopic colitis have focused on the successful use of immunomodulators such as biologics for treatment of budesonide refractory microscopic colitis cases. Microscopic colitis does not confer an added risk for colorectal cancer.With the increasing usage of immunotherapy agents, immune checkpoint inhibitor colitis is becoming more common. ICPi colitis can be successfully managed with steroids, with treatment stepped up to biologics for moderate to severe cases or for mild cases that do not respond to steroids. Immunotherapy agents can be carefully re-introduced in mild cases, after treatment of ICPi colitis. SUMMARY Biologics can be used to treat budesonide refractory microscopic colitis. ICPi colitis can be managed with steroids and biologics in moderate to severe cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ngozi Y Enwerem
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases
- VA Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Eugene F Yen
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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Abstract
Microscopic colitis (MC) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the older population. Its clinical presentation includes a variety of gastrointestinal manifestations. The main symptom is chronic watery, nonbloody diarrhea. The disease has a female predominance. The diagnosis might be challenging since the symptoms are similar to other differential diagnoses, such as celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease, bacterial overgrowth, and infectious colitis. The golden diagnostic tool for diagnosis is performing colonoscopy to obtain the colonic biopsy, which demonstrates the characteristic histological evidence needed for diagnosis. The treatment starts with an accurate diagnosis and trial of any possible offending medications. Alternatively, there are many medications, such as bismuth or budesonide, which are very effective in treating this disease. The primary objective of this detailed review is to enhance knowledge and understanding of this condition among healthcare providers to guide them with detailed information regarding epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and appropriate management. In the assessment of individuals presenting with persistent chronic diarrhea, it is essential for healthcare providers to consider MC as a probable differential diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khalid I AlHussaini
- Department of Internal Medicine, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh, SAU
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10
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Rancz A, Teutsch B, Engh MA, Veres DS, Földvári-Nagy L, Erőss B, Hosszúfalusi N, Juhász MF, Hegyi P, Mihály E. Microscopic colitis is a risk factor for low bone density: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Therap Adv Gastroenterol 2023; 16:17562848231177151. [PMID: 37361452 PMCID: PMC10285593 DOI: 10.1177/17562848231177151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Microscopic colitis (MC) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the large bowel characterized by watery diarrhea, substantially decreasing the patient's quality of life. Scarce data suggest that MC is associated with low bone density (LBD). OBJECTIVES We aimed to assess whether MC is a risk factor for LBD and the proportion of patients with MC having LBD. DESIGN A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies reporting bone density measurements in MC patients. DATA SOURCES AND METHODS We systematically searched five databases from inception to October 16, 2021 (Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane, Scopus, and Web of Science). We used the random-effect model to calculate pooled odds ratios (ORs) and pooled event rates with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). To ascertain the quality of evidence of our outcomes, we followed the recommendations of the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) Working Group. RESULTS The systematic search yielded a total of 3046 articles. Four articles were eligible for quantitative synthesis. All of them used age- and sex-matched controls to evaluate LBD occurrence among patients with MC. The odds of having LBD were twofold increased (OR = 2.13, CI: 1.42-3.20) in the presence of MC, the odds of osteopenia occurrence were 2.4 (OR = 2.45, CI: 1.11-5.41), and of osteoporosis 1.4 (OR = 1.42, CI: 0.65-3.12). The proportion of LBD was 0.68 (CI: 0.56-0.78), osteopenia was 0.51 (CI: 0.43-0.58), and osteoporosis was 0.11 (CI: 0.07-0.16) among the MC population. Our findings' certainty of the evidence was very low following the GRADEPro guideline. CONCLUSION Our data demonstrate that MC is associated with a twofold risk for LBD. Based on our findings, we suggest screening patients for bone mineral density upon diagnosis of MC. Further prospective studies with higher patient numbers and longer follow-up periods on this topic are needed. REGISTRATION Our protocol was prospectively registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021283392).
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Affiliation(s)
- Anett Rancz
- Centre for Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Internal Medicine and Hematology, Medical School, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Brigitta Teutsch
- Centre for Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Institute for Translational Medicine, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Marie Anne Engh
- Centre for Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Dániel Sándor Veres
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - László Földvári-Nagy
- Department of Morphology and Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Bálint Erőss
- Centre for Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Institute for Translational Medicine, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Institute of Pancreatic Diseases, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Nóra Hosszúfalusi
- Department of Internal Medicine and Hematology, Semmelweis University, Medical School, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Márk Félix Juhász
- Institute for Translational Medicine, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Heim Pál National Pediatric Institute, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Péter Hegyi
- Centre for Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Institute for Translational Medicine, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Institute of Pancreatic Diseases, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Emese Mihály
- Department of Internal Medicine and Hematology, Semmelweis University, Medical School, Szentkirályi Street 46, Budapest 1088, Hungary
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Torbenson M, Erickson LA. Reprint of: Problems and solutions: a special issue of gastrointestinal, pancreatic, and liver pathology. Hum Pathol 2023; 132:S0046-8177(23)00031-X. [PMID: 36792477 DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2023.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Torbenson
- Professor, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester MN, 55905, USA.
| | - Lori A Erickson
- Professor, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester MN, 55905, USA
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12
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Torbenson M, Erickson LA. Problems and solutions: a special issue of gastrointestinal, pancreatic, and liver pathology. Hum Pathol 2022; 129:56-59. [PMID: 35970422 DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2022.07.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Torbenson
- Professor, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester MN, 55905, USA.
| | - Lori A Erickson
- Professor, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester MN, 55905, USA
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13
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Nielsen OH, Fernandez-Banares F, Sato T, Pardi DS. Microscopic colitis: Etiopathology, diagnosis, and rational management. eLife 2022; 11:e79397. [PMID: 35913459 PMCID: PMC9342949 DOI: 10.7554/elife.79397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Microscopic colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease divided into two subtypes: collagenous colitis and lymphocytic colitis. With an increasing incidence of microscopic colitis exceeding those of ulcerative and Crohn's disease among elderly people in some countries, microscopic colitis is a debilitating life experience. Therefore, physicians should be familiar with its clinical features and management strategies because the disease deserves the same attention as the classical inflammatory bowel diseases. Here, state-of-the-art knowledge of microscopic colitis is provided from a global perspective with reference to etiopathology and how to establish the diagnosis with the overall aim to create awareness and improve rational management in clinical practice. The immune system and a dysregulated immune response seem to play a key role combined with risk factors (e.g. cigarette smoking) in genetically predisposed individuals. The symptoms are characterized by recurrent or chronic nonbloody, watery diarrhea, urgency, weight loss, and a female preponderance. As biomarkers are absent, the diagnosis relies on colonoscopy with a histological assessment of biopsy specimens from all parts of the colon. Although the disease is not associated with a risk of colorectal cancer, a recent nationwide, population-based cohort study found an increased risk of lymphoma and lung cancer. Budesonide is the first-line therapy for management, whereas immunomodulatory drugs (including biologics) and drugs with antidiarrheal properties may be indicated in those failing, dependent, or intolerant to budesonide. In microscopic colitis induced by checkpoint inhibitors, a drug class used increasingly for a wide range of malignancies, a more aggressive therapeutic approach with biologics introduced early seems reasonable. However, particular attention needs to be drawn to the existence of incomplete forms of microscopic colitis with the risk of being overlooked in routine clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ole Haagen Nielsen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Herlev Hospital, University of CopenhagenHerlevDenmark
| | - Fernando Fernandez-Banares
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hospital Universitari Mutua TerrassaBarcelonaSpain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de enfermedades hepáticas y digestivasCIBERehdSpain
| | - Toshiro Sato
- Department of Gastroenterology, Keio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
| | - Darrell S Pardi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo ClinicRochesterUnited States
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14
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Fedor I, Zold E, Barta Z. Microscopic colitis in older adults: impact, diagnosis, and management. Ther Adv Chronic Dis 2022; 13:20406223221102821. [PMID: 35813189 PMCID: PMC9260565 DOI: 10.1177/20406223221102821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Microscopic colitis (comprising lymphocytic and collagenous colitis, albeit an incomplete variant is gaining recognition as well) is a chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory state of the lower gastrointestinal tract (colon). The diagnosis requires diagnostic colonoscopy with characteristic histopathological findings. They have a propensity to present in senior populations (above 60 years of age), particularly women - who are approximately 2.5-3 times more likely to develop microscopic colitis. Preexisting other immune-inflammatory diseases are also shown to predispose patients for the development of microscopic colitis. The classic presentation is profuse watery diarrhea, often during the night or early morning hours. Fecal incontinence and abdominal pain are frequent as well. Thus, the disease impacts patients' quality of life and well-being. The first described cases date back to the seventies and eighties of the twentieth century, thereby they can be considered fairly recently discovered disease states. Our understanding of the disease and its pathophysiology is still incomplete. Although there is a lack of unified recommendation for treatment, most clinicians prefer the use of budesonide, and most published guidelines regard this locally acting glucocorticoid as the therapy of choice. In our article, we aimed for a brief, noncomprehensive overview of the clinical significance, diagnosis, and management of microscopic colitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Istvan Fedor
- Department of Public Health and Epidemiology,
Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Kassai Street 26., Debrecen
4012, Hungary
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Doctoral
School of Clinical Immunology and Allergology, Institute of Internal
Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Moricz Zs. Street
22., Debrecen 4004, Hungary
| | - Eva Zold
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Doctoral
School of Clinical Immunology and Allergology, Institute of Internal
Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen,
Hungary
| | - Zsolt Barta
- GI Unit, Department of Infectology, Doctoral
School of Clinical Immunology and Allergology, Faculty of Medicine,
University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
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15
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Khushal S, Oliva-Hemker M. Diagnosis and Management of Microscopic Colitis in Pediatric Patients. Paediatr Drugs 2022; 24:217-233. [PMID: 35501559 DOI: 10.1007/s40272-022-00504-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Microscopic colitis (MC) is an inflammatory disease of the colon, characterized by chronic watery diarrhea with distinguishing histologic findings despite normal endoscopic appearance of the colonic mucosa. MC is a common cause of diarrhea in older adults, though it has been infrequently reported in children and adolescents. As MC is rare in the pediatric population, and the clinical presentation is non-specific, increased awareness of this disease amongst pediatric clinicians and pathologists is essential for timely diagnosis, which requires performing colonoscopy with biopsy. The etiology of MC is incompletely understood, but current theories in pathogenesis inform management strategies. The goals of management in pediatric MC should be to achieve symptomatic improvement while minimizing adverse effects of treatment. Many patients who achieve clinical response have symptomatic recurrence after discontinuation of initial therapy, and may require maintenance medication therapy to sustain remission. This review aims to summarize the epidemiology and risk factors, clinical features, diagnosis, theories regarding pathogenesis, and suggested management approaches for MC in the pediatric population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salina Khushal
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Maria Oliva-Hemker
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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16
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Abstract
Microscopic colitis (MC) is an inflammatory disease of the large intestine associated with urgent watery diarrhoea. MC may occur in people of all ages, although the disease primarily affects older women. Once believed to be rare, MC is now known to be a common cause of chronic watery diarrhoea in high-income countries, affecting 1 in 115 women and 1 in 286 men during their lifetime in Swedish population-based estimates. An inappropriate immune response to disturbances in the gut microenvironment is implicated in the pathogenesis of MC. Evidence also supports an underlying genetic basis for disease. The diagnosis of MC relies on clinical symptoms and microscopic assessment of colonic biopsy samples. MC is categorized histologically into collagenous colitis, lymphocytic colitis and their incomplete forms. The mainstay of treatment includes the use of budesonide, with or without adjunctive therapies, and withdrawal of offending drugs. Emerging studies suggest a role for biologicals and immunosuppressive therapies for the management of budesonide-refractory or budesonide-dependent disease. MC can have a substantial negative effect on patient quality of life. The outlook for MC includes a better understanding of the immune response, genetics and the microbiome in disease pathogenesis along with progress in disease management through robust clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin E Burke
- Gastroenterology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Clinical and Translational Epidemiology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Mauro D'Amato
- Gastrointestinal Genetics Lab, CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Derio, Spain
- Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Siew C Ng
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, LK Institute of Health Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China
| | - Darrell S Pardi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Jonas F Ludvigsson
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Paediatrics, Örebro University Hospital, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Hamed Khalili
- Gastroenterology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Clinical and Translational Epidemiology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nutrition Epidemiology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden.
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