Microscopic colitis is viewed as an umbrella term applicable to both lymphocytic and collagenous colitis. The first case was published in 1976, a new entity with chronic watery diarrhoea with lymphocytic colitis, with or without a subepithelial collagen deposition. Patients are usually middle-aged women. The pathogenesis is unknown. The response to steroids and the female predominance underscores an autoimmune disease. Up to 40 % non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs-induced and lansoprazole-induced microscopic colitides are wellknown. Biopsies during sigmoideoscopy in unexplained diarrhoea must be standard. Treatment is empirical. The most important step is to ban all non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and other microscopic colitis inducing agents. Immunosuppressive treatment must be considered. However, the disease has a benign course and sometimes is self-limiting.

Department of Gastroenterology Vrije Universiteit Medisch Centrum Free University Medical Centre Amsterdam

Mikroskopická kolitida

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