Prevalence of different types of colitis among the elderly

1. Professor of Medicine, Gastroenterology Unit, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Gastroenterologist at the Clínica Fundadores, Clínica Carlos Lleras Restrepo, Hospital Fundación San Carlos 2. Internal Medicine Clínica Fundadores 3. Professor of Medicine, Gastroenterology Unit, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Gastroenterologist, Hospital El Tunal ........................................ Received: 16-06-09 Accepted: 18-08-09 Summary Colitis is an infl ammatory process of the colon with diverse etiologies, although clinical conditions and endoscopic examinations look similar. The attending physician should determine if the condition is acute (less than four weeks duration), or chronic (more than four weeks duration). The most frequent cause of acute bloody diarrhea in adults is infection, although in adults over 65 years of age causes include ischemic colitis and, upon rare occasions, infl ammatory intestinal disease. Information is lacking on colitis among the population of Colombia. The objectives of this study are to determine the prevalence, causes and locations within the colon of colitis in elderly patients (over the age of 65). Materials and methods: An observational study of elderly patients who were through diagnosed with colitis colonoscopy. Diagnoses were confi rmed histologically and clinically. Study was conducted between March 2002 and December 2006. Results: 2244 colonoscopy results were checked. 321 elderly patients were identifi ed among these cases. 49 of them (15%) had colitis diagnosed through endoscopy, histology and clinical profi les. Main causes were ischemia 30%, infections 20% (40% Clostridium diffi cile C. diffi cile), ulcerative colitis 18%, radiotherapy after effects 18% and others 14% (NSAIDs, neoplasia, etc.). In 23% of the cases the colitis was on the right side. Conclusions: The prevalence of colitis diagnosed in elderly patients through colonoscopy was 15%. The main causes were ischemia, infections (40% C. diffi cile), and ulcerative and post radiotherapy colitis. A complete colonoscopy is indicated in all elderly patients with acute colitis.