The pattern of colonic diseases in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the incidence and scope of lower gastrointestinal tract (GIT) diseases in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Between August 1981 and April 1984, 288 patients with significant complaints and physical signs attributable to the lower GIT were prospectively evaluated. A complete patient history was taken in each case followed by physical examination, routine laboratory studies and a sigmoidoscopic examination. In 128 patients (44.5%), sigmoidoscopy and rectal and/or colonic biopsies did not reveal any pathological abnormalities. These patients were considered to have various disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome or parasitic infestation. Eighty-one patients (28%) were found to have mild to moderate non-specific colitis or proctitis. In another 49 patients (17%) the diagnosis of schistosomiasis mansoni was made. Ulcerative colitis and colorectal carcinoma were detected in only 11 (4%) and 4 (1.5%) patients respectively. In the remaining 15 patients (5%), other lower GIT diseases were found. Comparative analysis of the disease pattern in our series has demonstrated some differences from other series from within the Kingdom and also from other countries.