Clinical Characteristics and Treatment Outcomes in Patients With Incomplete Microscopic Colitis: Consideration for...

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Histopathology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Incomplete microscopic colitis (MCi) is poorly understood, lacking defined histologic criteria and clear clinical features.
• The treatment outcomes and recurrence rates for MCi remain largely unknown.
• This study aimed to characterize MCi, including clinical presentation, therapeutic responses, and long-term outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the clinical features of incomplete microscopic colitis (MCi).
• To evaluate treatment outcomes in patients with MCi.
• To determine the recurrence rates and progression to definite microscopic colitis (MC).

Main Methods:

• Adults diagnosed with MCi between 2010-2023 were retrospectively identified.
• Treatment response was categorized as complete, partial, nonresponse, or intolerance.
• Logistic and Cox regression analyses were employed to identify predictors of non-response and recurrence risk.

Main Results:

• 204 patients with MCi were analyzed; 80.4% were using drugs linked to microscopic colitis.
• Complete response rates were high (72.6%), with budesonide being an effective treatment.
• Fecal incontinence predicted non-response, and 35.8% experienced recurrence after treatment cessation, with 13.7% progressing to MC.

Conclusions:

• MCi is frequently associated with implicated medications and demonstrates a high response rate to therapies like budesonide.
• The study suggests expanding the histologic definition of microscopic colitis to encompass MCi due to clinical similarities.
• High recurrence rates and progression to MC highlight the need for ongoing management strategies.