Autoimmune diseases in microscopic colitis: A Danish nationwide case-control study

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Immunology
• Epidemiology

Background:

• The relationship between autoimmune diseases and microscopic colitis is not well-established.
• Microscopic colitis encompasses lymphocytic colitis and collagenous colitis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between autoimmune diseases and microscopic colitis.
• Utilize nationwide registry data for a matched case-control study.

Main Methods:

• Identified 15,597 microscopic colitis cases and 155,910 matched controls from Danish registries (2001-2018).
• Compared the prevalence of autoimmune diseases using logistic regression, adjusting for comorbidities.
• Stratified analyses by sex, age, and microscopic colitis subtype.

Main Results:

• Patients with microscopic colitis had a significantly higher prevalence of autoimmune diseases (22% vs. 11%).
• The adjusted odds ratio for autoimmune disease was 2.09 (95% CI, 2.01-2.19).
• Strongest associations were observed for celiac disease (OR=10.15), ulcerative colitis (OR=6.73), and Crohn's disease (OR=2.47).

Conclusions:

• Microscopic colitis is associated with a broad spectrum of autoimmune diseases, especially gastrointestinal ones.
• Findings support the hypothesis of an autoimmune predisposition contributing to microscopic colitis development.