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Microscopic colitis - not to be confused with ulcerative colitis - is characterized by chronic, watery diarrhea that results from inflammation in the colon. It can only be diagnosed by colonic biopsy. It is discovered far more often in those 60 years of age and older. While not associated with increased mortality, symptoms have a seriously negative effect on quality of life. There is no evidence that the persistent inflammation leads to an increase in colon cancer. Treatments to date have only been partially successful in mitigating the disease. There is no cure.
The American Gastroenterological Association recently updated its treatment guidelines for this condition. While there are a total of nine guidelines, the most significant are the first two which substitute a new drug as the preferred approach in medical management.
The full text of the paper is attached.
The American Gastroenterological Association recently updated its treatment guidelines for this condition. While there are a total of nine guidelines, the most significant are the first two which substitute a new drug as the preferred approach in medical management.
- Recommendation 1: Patients with symptomatic microscopic colitis should be treated with Budesonide.
- Recommendation 2: Budesonide, rather than Asacol (mesalamine), is preferred for the induction of clinical remission.
The full text of the paper is attached.
