Microscopic Colitis

Background of microscopic colitis

Type Clinical features 
Definition and epidemiology 
  • Chronic inflammatory disease of colon with chronic diarrhea that is watery and non-bloody 
  • Can occur after age 35 and more common in women 
  • Subtypes (based on histologic findings) 
Associated conditions 
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis 
  • Oligoarticular arthritis that is nonerosive 
  • Possible other autoimmune diseases 
  • Type 1 diabetes 
Possible etiologies 
  • Smoking  
  • Medications 
    • NSAIDs 
    • PPIs 
    • Statins 
    • SSRIs 
Possible pathophysiology 
  • Genetic predisposition with HLA-DR3DQ2 haplotype 
  • Increased collagen deposition in tissues due to increased TGF beta-1 or vascular endothelial growth factor 
  • Epithelial barrier dysfunction leading to increased permability of bacteria, antigens, and eventual inflammation 
  • Diarrhea likely due to mucosal inflammation in lamina propria  
(Next Lesson) Clinical presentation of microscopic colitis
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