Collagenous colitis in a patient with Addison's disease: a case report

Endocr J. 1998 Aug;45(4):581-4. doi: 10.1507/endocrj.45.581.

Abstract

Diarrhea is a non-specific symptom which may be associated with Addison's disease and several causes had been demonstrated in the aetiology. We describe a patient with Addison's disease who was suffering from chronic diarrhea for three months. She was diagnosed as having collagenous colitis and successfully treated with Sulphasalazine, 2 g/day. Collagenous colitis is an uncommon cause of chronic diarrhea and the association of collagenous colitis with Addison's disease has not previously been described. We think that collagenous colitis may play a role in the aetiology of diarrhea in patients with Addison's disease and therefore we suggest a full colonoscopic examination in other patients with Addison's disease and diarrhea to determine the incidence of collagenous colitis in the aetiology of diarrhea.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Addison Disease / complications*
  • Addison Disease / pathology
  • Adult
  • Colitis / complications*
  • Colitis / pathology
  • Collagen*
  • Colonoscopy
  • Diarrhea / etiology
  • Diarrhea / pathology
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Sulfasalazine / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Gastrointestinal Agents
  • Sulfasalazine
  • Collagen