 |
| About Bioline | All Journals | Testimonials | Membership | News |
|
||||||
|
||||||
Journal of Postgraduate Medicine, Vol. 53, No. 2, April-June, 2007, pp. 145 Letters An unusual cause of colitis Panicker JN, Philip J Department of Medicine, Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala - 695 011 Code Number: jp07050 Sir, Oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are known to produce a host of gastrointestinal side-effects.[1] We report a case of colitis of unknown cause that was subsequently linked to mefenamic acid use. A 67-year-old lady presented with periumbilical colicky pain of eight days duration. Three days into the illness, she developed watery semisolid stools and one day later noticed hematochezia. There was no tenesmus or constitutional symptoms such as fever and the stools were not associated with foul odor or pus. There was no recent exposure to antibiotics. Abdominal and per rectum examination was normal. Hemogram, biochemical examination, plain X-ray and ultrasound scan of abdomen were normal. Stools were grossly blood tinged and semisolid and microscopy showed erythrocytes and neutrophils. No ova or cysts were seen and stool culture was negative for bacterial growth. Colonoscopy revealed multiple superficial ulcers with irregular margins in the descending and sigmoid colon. No growth or diverticuli were observed. In spite of optimal investigations, the cause of colitis could not be determined and the clinical status worsened. History was reviewed and revealed that she had been started on mefenamic acid eight days prior to onset of diarrhea. In view of the temporal association between mefenamic acid use and diarrhea and absence of any other etiological factors, the possibility of mefenamic acid colitis was considered. Symptoms subsided within 72h of cessation of mefenamic acid. She continued to be symptom-free at follow-up and colonoscopy after two months was normal. The most tenable diagnosis on the background of temporal association between symptom onset and use of mefenamic acid, its resolution with drug cessation and continued symptom-free period at follow-up was colitis secondary to mefenamic acid use. Other causes were ruled out by relevant investigations. NSAIDs produce an array of abnormalities in the gastrointestinal system. Though initially due to direct epithelial injury, subsequently inhibition of constitutional cyclo-oxygenase enzyme (COX-1) results in reduced synthesis of prostaglandins, thus making the mucosa prone to injury.[1] Intestinal injury manifests as enterocolitis, ulcerations, perforations, diaphragms and strictures.[1] NSAIDs may induce relapse in patients with quiescent ulcerative colitis.[1],[2] Though colitis has been reported following use of most NSAIDs, mefenamic acid and flufenamic acid have been specifically incriminated. Of newly diagnosed cases of colitis, 10% may be related to NSAID use and patients taking NSAIDs have five times more chances of developing colonic inflammation than the general population.[1],[3] Colitis usually affects the geriatric population, without gender predilection.[2],[4] Any region of the colon may be affected. Interval between NSAIDs exposure and symptom onset is highly variable and may vary from two days to four months.[1],[2] Symptoms may vary from watery diarrhea to dysentery, depending on the extent of mucosal damage. It may also be associated with significant weight loss.[1] NSAIDs-induced colitis is essentially a diagnosis of exclusion and other causes should be ruled out. Establishing the temporal association between medication use and symptoms, as was done in our patient, is crucial. Colonoscopy will only support the diagnosis and may show diffuse ulcerations.[2] Histopathology reveals various patterns of involvement including eosinophilic, collagenous, pseudomembranous and nonspecific colitis.[1] Ischemic colitis has also been described.[2] Though symptoms are relieved by cessation of medications, they may recur if reintroduced.[1],[2] This case report emphasizes the importance of history taking when evaluating a patient with colitis. It highlights the role of NSAIDs, especially mefenamic acid, as a cause of colitis and demonstrates full reversibility after drug cessation. References
Copyright 2007 - Journal of Postgraduate Medicine |
| |||||||||
