Microscopic colitis impacts quality of life in older people

This report describes a frail 92-year-old woman with dementia who presented with a year's history of chronic watery non-bloody diarrhoea. She had abdominal bloating, weight loss, faecal urgency, nocturnal stools and developed faecal incontinence. Her serum C reactive peptide and faecal calprotectin were elevated. Flexible sigmoidoscopy was macroscopically normal, but demonstrated histological features of microscopic colitis (MC) in sigmoid colon and rectal biopsies. Polypharmacy was reviewed for possible medication-induced MC. Ranitidine, donepezil and simvastatin were discontinued. She was started on oral budesonide with improvement in the abdominal and bowel symptoms. Stool frequency and consistency normalised, and the faecal incontinence resolved with treatment. The outcomes were an improved quality of life, reduced functional dependency, reduced carer strain and avoidance of premature transition from her home into a long-term/institutional care setting. We briefly review terminology, basic epidemiology, notable associations, the importance of establishing a diagnosis and some treatment considerations for MC.

Diarrhoea is not the only symptom that needs to be treated in patients with microscopic colitis

BACKGROUND

Many patients with microscopic colitis (MC) also suffer from symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but the only treatment given is corticosteroids for the diarrhoea. The aim of this study was to examine how social factors, life style factors and drug treatment affect symptoms and well-being in patients suffering from MC.

METHODS

Women, over the age of 73years, with biopsy-verified MC, at any Departments of Gastroenterology, Skåne, between 2002 and 2010 were invited. The questionnaires Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) and Psychological General Well-being Index (PGWB) were sent by mail, along with questions about social and life style factors, and medical history.

RESULTS

Of 240 invited, 158 patients (66%) were included (median age 63years, range 27-73years). Only 26% had never smoked. Smoking and concomitant IBS were associated with both impaired gastrointestinal symptoms (OR=3.96, 95% CI=1.47-10.66 and OR=4.40, 95% CI=2.09-9.26, respectively) and impaired psychological well-being (OR=2.77, 95% CI=1.04-7.34 and OR=3.82, 95% CI=1.83-7.99, respectively). Treatment with proton pump inhibitors (PPI) was associated with increased gastrointestinal symptoms (OR=3.44, 95% CI=1.45-8.16). Age, social factors, and corticosteroids had no effect on symptoms or well-being. Smoking was the only risk factor associated with IBS (OR=2.68, 95% CI=1.115-6.26).

CONCLUSION

Smoking and IBS are associated with impaired gastrointestinal symptoms and psychological well-being in MC patients. PPI is associated with impaired gastrointestinal symptoms.

Gastrointestinal symptoms and psychological well-being in patients with microscopic colitis

OBJECTIVE

Microscopic colitis (MC) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are both gastrointestinal disorders with female predominance that affect well-being. Autoantibodies against gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) have recently been detected in IBS patients. The purpose of this study was to compare gastrointestinal symptoms and well-being in MC female outpatients, with or without coexisting IBS-like symptoms, and to examine the prevalence of GnRH antibodies in these patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Women with biopsy-verified MC, at any outpatient clinic of the Departments of Gastroenterology, Skåne, between 2002 and 2010 were invited to participate in the study. The questionnaires Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS), Psychological General Well-being Index (PGWB), Visual Analogue Scale for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (VAS-IBS), and Rome III were answered and blood samples collected. Autoantibodies (IgG, IgA, and IgM) against GnRH and GnRH-R (extracellular peptide of receptor) were determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

Altogether, 158 (66%) of 240 invited patients with MC were recruited to the study. Of these, 133 (55%) patients also accepted to provide blood samples. Patients with IBS-like symptoms (55%) experienced more symptoms and worse psychological well-being in all dimensions in GSRS and PGWB, and in all symptoms but constipation in VAS-IBS compared to patients without IBS symptoms. Only a minority of patients expressed antibodies against GnRH or GnRH-R, which did not differ between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

MC patients fulfilling criteria for IBS experience more gastrointestinal symptoms and worse psychological well-being than those who do not. Autoantibodies against GnRH or GnRH-R are not frequently observed in MC patients.