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A recent study, that's pretty much a "Duh!", but one part isn't. It appears that the incedence is increasing. Could either be via better diagnosis or more prevelance.
OBJECTIVE: Although the epidemiology of microscopic colitis has been described in Europe, no such data exist from North America. We studied the incidence, prevalence and temporal trends of microscopic colitis in a geographically defined U.S. population. DESIGN AND SETTING: In this population-based cohort study, residents of Olmsted County, Minnesota with a new diagnosis of microscopic colitis, and all who had colon biopsies for evaluation of diarrhea, between 1/1/1985 and 12/31/2001 were identified. Biopsies were reviewed for confirmation (cases) and to identify missed cases (diarrhea biopsies). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence rates, age- and sex-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. white population. Poisson regression assessed the association of calendar period, age, and sex with incidence. RESULTS: We identified 130 incident cases, for an overall rate of 8.6 cases per 100,000 person-years. There was a significant secular trend, with incidence increasing from 1.1 per 100,000 early in the study to 19.6 per 100,000 by the end (p<0.001). Rates increased with age (p<0.001). By subtype, the incidence was 3.1 per 100,000 for collagenous colitis and 5.5 per 100,000 for lymphocytic colitis. Collagenous colitis was associated with female sex (p<0.001) but lymphocytic colitis was not. Prevalence (per 100,000 persons) on 12/31/2001 was 103.0 (39.3 for collagenous colitis and 63.7 for lymphocytic colitis). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of microscopic colitis has increased significantly over time, and by the end of the study, the incidence and prevalence were significantly higher than reported previously. Microscopic colitis is associated with older age, and collagenous colitis is associated with female sex.
Until fairly recently insurance wouldn't pay for biopsies unless the doctor saw something unusual during a colonscopy... no wonder they didn't find collagenous colitis before! I was lucky... the doctor saw something and did biopsies...
grannyh
I completely agree. This is almost a no-brainer - you won't find MC, if you don't use the correct procedures to look for it, (just as you won't find celiac disease, if you don't utilize the proper procedures).
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Even when they find it now they don't do much as far as treatment! Have run across three people lately who have the right diagnosis but the only treatments offered are the old stand by ones that don't work.. the ones for IBS... more fiber etc....
I have yet to run into another gastro doc here who will prescribe entocort!
grannyh
Insurance Companies don't care, it obvious in all the cases where people were turned down for a procedure that could have saved thier life. Insurance companies need to visit hospitals and people effected by thier wrong doin. Love Oma
May I be more compassionate and loving than yeterday*and be able to spot the idiots in advance
