Microscopic colitis - survey of diagnostic pathways
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A survey of patients diagnosed with microscopic colitis in the Leeds Teaching Hospitals: a study of current diagnostic and management pathways
IRAS ID
190219
Contact name
Alex Ford
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Leeds
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, days
Research summary
Microscopic colitis is an uncommon cause of inflammation of the large bowel that can be effectively treated with specific oral steroid therapy. Most patients have symptoms of uncomfortable loose watery motions usually without visible blood. It is diagnosed from biopsy samples taken during colonoscopy. In these situations the bowel usually looks normal under direct vision. Previous studies have shown that those at risk for developing microscopic colitis are more likely to be women, older than 50 years of age, report loose stools at night and weight loss, and may be taking particular medications. There is also some evidence of a link between certain conditions such as coeliac disease, and other autoimmune diseases. However, there have been no studies conducted in the UK that have examined these issues. In previous studies we have seen that affected patients often have symptoms which may be confused with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and therefore may not receive the right treatment.
During this study we will send questionnaires to patients recently diagnosed with microscopic colitis. We are interested in assessing their presenting symptoms, to look for the presence of common risk factors for microscopic colitis, to see how many patients would fit the criteria to diagnose IBS and to study the impact of a diagnosis on physical and psychological health. A specific questionnaire is also included to assess fatigue levels in these patients. We hope to be able to examine how we are currently diagnosing and managing patients with this condition.
Lay summary of study results:
The study had three aims: 1. To examine presenting features and risk factors, including medication use and co-morbidities, among patients with a diagnosis of microscopic colitis. 2. To study the frequency of symptoms compatible with a diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome among patients with a diagnosis of microscopic colitis.. 3. To gain an insight into the effect of a diagnosis of microscopic colitis on psychological and general heath, including fatigue, and quality of life. With respect to each aim: 1. Our data confirmed a female preponderance in microscopic colitis, a relatively short symptom duration and use of certain drugs as common features. 2. More than one third of individuals with microscopic colitis reported irritable bowel syndrome-type symptoms, although whether this was due to ongoing inflammation was unclear. These individuals had higher levels of anxiety, depression, and somatization, and impaired quality of life. 3. Fatigue in individuals with microscopic colitis appeared to be associated with reporting IBS-type symptoms, psychological comorbidity and impaired quality of life. It may therefore represent an important target for treatment.
Has the registry been updated to include summary results?: No
If yes - please enter the URL to summary results:
If no – why not?: N/A; no publicly accessible register entry.
Did you follow your dissemination plan submitted in the IRAS application form (Q A51)?: Yes
If yes, describe or provide URLs to disseminated materials: https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftrack.pstmrk.it%2F3ts%2Fwww.tandfonline.com%252Fdoi%252Ffull%252F10.1080%252F00365521.2017.1334813%2FNBTI%2FB9XFAQ%2FAQ%2F35f3c54c-1a5d-4eb3-b279-6a4e93075f74%2F1%2FSOZdgbvCfJ&data=05%7C02%7Cleedswest.rec%40hra.nhs.uk%7Ce3ee4e9c43ba474939de08dec2e6c975%7C8e1f0acad87d4f20939e36243d574267%7C0%7C0%7C639162493732896423%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=0VhaU4rjjQJC5MGWJ%2F6mB1bDlO826Qu6EFRgHijos5c%3D&reserved=0 https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftrack.pstmrk.it%2F3ts%2Fjournals.sagepub.com%252Fdoi%252Ffull%252F10.1177%252F1756284818799599%2FNBTI%2FB9XFAQ%2FAQ%2F35f3c54c-1a5d-4eb3-b279-6a4e93075f74%2F2%2FXva5v-8vLp&data=05%7C02%7Cleedswest.rec%40hra.nhs.uk%7Ce3ee4e9c43ba474939de08dec2e6c975%7C8e1f0acad87d4f20939e36243d574267%7C0%7C0%7C639162493732927282%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=DgE15CFUkRbglddEGcRK2kPlw6QZUDufL2uqtkgF7cI%3D&reserved=0 https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftrack.pstmrk.it%2F3ts%2Fjournals.sagepub.com%252Fdoi%252Ffull%252F10.1177%252F1756284818799599%2FNBTI%2FB9XFAQ%2FAQ%2F35f3c54c-1a5d-4eb3-b279-6a4e93075f74%2F2%2FXva5v-8vLp&data=05%7C02%7Cleedswest.rec%40hra.nhs.uk%7Ce3ee4e9c43ba474939de08dec2e6c975%7C8e1f0acad87d4f20939e36243d574267%7C0%7C0%7C639162493732950640%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=5c7AA1vpixsGNUPTd4NrcJMUFgmGjAB4y3yhGS9jwEs%3D&reserved=0
If pending, date when dissemination is expected:
If no, explain why you didn't follow it:
Have participants been informed of the results of the study?: No
If yes, describe and/or provide URLs to materials shared and how they were shared:
If pending, date when feedback is expected:
If no, explain why they haven't: There was no ethical approval requirement to do so. All patients were given a contact point to obtain further information and to ask further questions about the results if they wished. None contacted us.
Have you enabled sharing of study data with others?: No
If yes, describe or provide URLs to how it has been shared:
If no, explain why sharing hasn't been enabled: We have received no requests to share data.
Have you enabled sharing of tissue samples and associated data with others?: No
If yes, describe or provide a URL:
If no, explain why: There were no tissue samples obtained as part of the study.
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Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/YH/0543
Date of REC Opinion
18 Jan 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion