Course of Disease in Patients with Microscopic Colitis: A European Prospective Incident Cohort Study

B.P.M. Verhaegh*, A. Munch, D. Guagnozzi, S. Wildt, W. Cebula, A.R. Diac, F. Fernandez-Banares, M.A.R. Al-Khalaf, N. Pedersen, J. Kupcinskas, J. Bohr, G. Macaigne, A.J. Lucendo, I. Lyutakov, G.E. Tontini, F. Pigo, E. Russo, H. Hjortswang, S. Miehlke, L.K. Munck

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Background and Aims: The disease course of microscopic colitis [MC] is considered chronic but benign. However, this assumption is based on mainly retrospective studies, reporting on incomplete follow-up of selective cohorts. Systematic, prospective and unbiased data to inform patients and healthcare professionals on the expected course of the disease and real-life response to therapy are warranted.Methods: A prospective, pan-European, multi-centre, web-based registry was established. Incident cases of MC were included. Data on patient characteristics, symptoms, treatment and quality of life were systematically registered at baseline and during real-time follow-up. Four disease course phenotypes were discriminated and described.Results: Among 381 cases with complete 1-year follow-up, 49% had a chronic active or relapsing disease course, 40% achieved sustained remission after treatment and 11% had a quiescent course. In general, symptoms and quality of life improved after 3 months of follow-up. A relapsing or chronic active disease course was associated with significantly more symptoms and impaired quality of life after 1 year.Conclusions: A minority of MC patients follow a quiescent disease course with spontaneous clinical improvement, whereas the majority suffer a chronic active or relapsing disease course during the first year after diagnosis, with persisting symptoms accompanied by a significantly impaired quality of life.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1174-1183
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Crohn's & Colitis
Volume15
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jul 2021

Keywords

  • Microscopic colitis
  • disease course
  • prospective cohort study
  • disease activity
  • prognosis
  • treatment
  • TERM-FOLLOW-UP
  • COLLAGENOUS COLITIS
  • DOUBLE-BLIND
  • LYMPHOCYTIC COLITIS
  • CLINICAL PRESENTATION
  • PLACEBO
  • RISK
  • BUDESONIDE
  • LOPERAMIDE
  • HISTOPATHOLOGY

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