Collagenous colitis in systemic sclerosis: an overlooked and treatable complication

J Clin Rheumatol. 2014 Aug;20(5):278-82. doi: 10.1097/RHU.0000000000000121.

Abstract

Collagenous colitis (CC) is an inflammatory bowel condition of unknown etiology. Systemic sclerosis (SSc) has been associated with CC in a few cases, but it is not clear whether CC could be considered an unusual manifestation of SSc or an independent condition. Here we present a case of SSc-associated CC and compare routine histology and immunofluorescence studies for allograft inflammatory factor 1 and caveolin 1 expression with other cases of CC and healthy controls. All CC biopsies showed characteristic sublaminal collagen accumulation and a decrease of caveolin 1 expression, this latter finding consistent with and common in any fibrotic reaction. In contrast, the expression of allograft inflammatory factor 1 was increased only in the SSc-CC specimen, suggesting a distinct pathogenesis. A literature review revealed 6 previously reported cases of SSc-CC with common clinical features. These observations suggest that CC should be suspected as a rare gastrointestinal complication of SSc and that clinicians should be aware of the possibility in SSc patients developing watery diarrhea.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Biopsy, Needle
  • Budesonide / administration & dosage*
  • Colitis, Collagenous / complications*
  • Colitis, Collagenous / diagnosis
  • Colitis, Collagenous / drug therapy*
  • Colonoscopy / methods
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Lansoprazole / administration & dosage*
  • Risk Assessment
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / complications*
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / diagnosis
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / drug therapy
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Lansoprazole
  • Budesonide