Collagenous colitis in Orebro, Sweden, an epidemiological study 1984-1993.

Abstract

The incidence and prevalence of collagenous colitis are unknown. An epidemiological study was undertaken between 1984-93. All patients living in the immediate catchment area of Orebro Medical Center Hospital with the diagnosis collagenous colitis were identified. Biopsy specimens classified as unspecific intestinal fibrosis were re-examined to identify cases not correctly diagnosed at first. Medical records were scrutinised and colorectal biopsy specimens re-evaluated. Thirty patients with collagenous colitis were diagnosed during the study period. The female:male ratio was 9:1. The median age at diagnosis was 64 (28-78) years. The prevalence at 31 December 1993, was 15.7I105 inhabitants (95% CI; 9.8 to 21.61105). The mean annual incidence during the period 1984-93 was 1.8/105 inhabitants (950/o CI; 12 to 2.4I105). A peak incidence was found in women 70-79 years old. Collagenous colitis occurs mainly in middle aged women, and the frequency is higher than earlier anticipated. The prevalence and incidence is similar to primary biliary cirrhosis. In women 70-79 years of age, the incidence for collagenous colitis approaches the incidence for ulcerative colitis. (Gut 1995; 37: 394-397)

Prevalence of microscopic colitis in patients with diarrhea of unknown etiology in Turkey

“…Studies from different countries reported microscopic colitis rates between 4%-13% in the cohor t of population with non-bloody diarrhea of unknown origin [10][11][12][13][14][15] . In the current study, we found this rate to be 11.5% in Turkey.…”

“…Therefore, the reported prevalence seems to change within years. In Sweden, microscopic colitis was reported in 4% of patients with non-bloody chronic diarrhea in 1993, but this rate was reported as 10% in 1998 [9,10,13] . The prevalence of collagenous colitis in Sweden between 1984-1988 was 0.8/10 5 inhabitants, but increased to 6.1/10 5 inhabitants between 1996-1998 [9,10,13,15] .…”

“…In Sweden, microscopic colitis was reported in 4% of patients with non-bloody chronic diarrhea in 1993, but this rate was reported as 10% in 1998 [9,10,13] . The prevalence of collagenous colitis in Sweden between 1984-1988 was 0.8/10 5 inhabitants, but increased to 6.1/10 5 inhabitants between 1996-1998 [9,10,13,15] . Recently, higher prevalence values have been reported from Iceland where the mean annual prevalence of collagenous colitis was 5.2/10 5 inhabitants and the mean annual incidence of lymphocytıc colıtıs was 4.0/10 5 inhabitants in the period 1995-1999 [11] .…”

“…Recently, higher prevalence values have been reported from Iceland where the mean annual prevalence of collagenous colitis was 5.2/10 5 inhabitants and the mean annual incidence of lymphocytıc colıtıs was 4.0/10 5 inhabitants in the period 1995-1999 [11] . According to various studies prevalence of collagenous colitis and lymphocytic colitis is 10-15.7/100 000 and 14.4/100 000, respectively [12][13][14]16] . In a study performed in Spain, lymphocytic colitis was found in 9.5% of patients who had undergone colonoscopy because of chronic diarrhea during a period of 5 years [14] .…”

“…In this study, the prevalence of lymphocytic colitis was three times that of the prevalence of collagenous colitis, female/male ratio in lymphocytic and collagenous colitis was found 2.7/1 and 4.7/1, respectively. Female/male ratio were reported as 5/1 from Iceland and 2.1 from Sweden [10][11][12][13][14][15] . In reported series this ratio for collagenous colitis was found as 4/1-20/1 [13][14][15][16][17] .…”