Abstract

MORAIS, Sandra A. et al. Collagenous colitis: an underdiagnosed cause of chronic diarrhea. Rev Port Med Geral Fam [online]. 2015, vol.31, n.6, pp.410-413. ISSN 2182-5173.

Microscopic colitis is a disorder that includes collagenous colitis and lymphocytic colitis. It is considered to be a common cause of chronic diarrhea. Although it is benign, it can have a significant impact on the patient's quality of life. The diagnosis is exclusively histological. Although microscopic colitis was first described in 1976, it has only recently been recognized as a common cause of diarrhea. Many clinicians are not yet aware of this entity. We present the case a patient with chronic watery diarrhea, initially without significant systemic repercussions and with normal or inconclusive laboratory or imaging tests. This evolved into hypovolemic shock with severe renal dysfunction. Greater awareness of this condition by clinicians, leading to the performance of timely biopsies, required for the correct diagnosis and appropriate therapy, is required.

Keywords : Collagenous Colitis; Microscopic Colitis; Chronic Diarrhea.

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