Gastroenterology Today Autumn 2023

NEWS
“We know that this can also have a
detrimental effect on their mental wellbeing.
“The rates of microscopic colitis are
increasing and are likely to grow further as
the population ages, so it’s crucial that we
identify risk factors, provide specific training
for healthcare providers, continue to raise
awareness and invest in research to improve
diagnosis and treatments.”
Chris Probert, professor of gastroenterology
at the University of Liverpool, added:
“Undiagnosed microscopic colitis can cause
years of unnecessary suffering.
“The diarrhoea symptoms tend to be
very severe and house-limiting, leading to
considerable distress for patients.
Concern over undiagnosed
cases of severe bowel
condition
Ella Pickover, PA Health Correspondent
Microscopic colitis is a debilitating condition
which leads to inflammation of the large
bowel, it can cause symptoms including
persistent watery diarrhoea, stomach pain,
fatigue, urgency to go to the toilet and waking
in the night to empty the bowel.
“It’s not clear why cases of the condition are
on the increase but it is likely to be due to a
mixture of increased awareness of symptoms
leading to more diagnoses and environmental
factors such as a potential side effect of
common prescription drugs such as some
antidepressants.
More must be done to stop people suffering
unnecessarily due to a lack of awareness
about a severe bowel condition, a charity
has warned.
Some 17,000 people are diagnosed with
microscopic colitis each year in the UK but
Guts UK believes the real figure could be a lot
higher due to high rates of misdiagnosis and
the complex way the condition is detected.
Unlike other inflammatory bowel diseases,
microscopic colitis cannot be seen on a
camera and requires a tissue sample to be
taken from the bowel and examined under
a microscope.
Because this step is not always completed,
many are left undiagnosed, Guts UK said.
Experts have also suggested that people
aren’t seeking help for symptoms because
they are embarrassed or, if they do, they’re
often misdiagnosed with irritable bowel
syndrome (IBS).
The charity said that once diagnosed, there
is an effective treatment for most people
as it called for more to be done to improve
diagnosis rates.
A previous study has shown that one-inthree
patients with the condition were initially
diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome.
The charity said that previous estimates have
suggested that some 67,000 people could be
living with the condition in the UK, with more
women thought be affected.
It said that, despite misdiagnoses, cases
are on the rise – in the UK incidence rate of
microscopic colitis in 2016 was twice that
observed in 2009.
“It’s terribly sad that thousands of people
are suffering with the debilitating symptoms
of microscopic colitis,” said Julie Harrington,
chief executive of Guts UK.
“Most people with the condition can be easily
treated with a course of gut-specific steroids
or with symptom-relieving medicines but
getting a diagnosis is the first, essential step.
“People living with the condition but without
the benefit of a correct diagnosis and effective
treatments often can often feel very isolated
due to the urgent nature of their symptoms
and their need to be near to toilet facilities at
all times.
“The good news is that effective treatments
are available so people experiencing
symptoms could benefit enormously by
talking with their GP.”
One women, known only as Victoria, age
33 from London, was diagnosed with
microscopic colitis last year.
“I spent 12 years living with undiagnosed
microscopic colitis,” she said.
“On my worst days, I was going to the toilet
30 to 40 times per day and suffered from
awful stomach cramps.
“I ended up becoming agoraphobic because I
was so distressed. I went to the doctor again
and again but it took me all these years to get
a correct diagnosis. I even went to A&E but
was told it was ‘just IBS’ and I was sent home
with no treatment plan.
“The treatment I have received after getting
my diagnosis has changed my life. I feel like
I’ve regained some semblance of normal.”
Guts UK has created a new resource for
patients to find out more about the condition.
GASTROENTEROLOGY TODAY – AUTUMN 2023
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