Collagenous Colitis Is a Genetic Disease
Douglas K. Rex, MD, FASGE, reviewing Stahl E, et al. Gastroenterology 2020 May 1.
Collagenous colitis (CC) produces a watery diarrhea syndrome, occurs mostly in older women, and is associated with several drug classes. Recent studies show that patients with microscopic colitis have an increased risk of developing overt inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
In the largest genetic study of CC to date, CC was associated with 3 distinct human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles. Other HLA alleles were associated with a protective effect for CC. There was also evidence of a shared genetic risk with IBD and celiac disease.
COMMENTEndoscopists are typically involved in the diagnosis of CC, identification and reduction of risk factors, and medical treatment. As in IBD, patients with CC often wonder why the disease developed. Increasingly, we see evidence of a clear genetic risk and a shared genetic risk with other immune-mediated diseases, such as IBD and celiac disease.
Note to readers: At the time we reviewed this paper, its publisher noted that it was not in final form and that subsequent changes might be made.
CITATION(S)
Stahl E, Roda G, Dobbyn A, et al. Collagenous colitis is associated with HLA signature and shares genetic risks with other immune-mediated diseases. Gastroenterology 2020 May 1. (Epub ahead of print) (https://doi.org/10.1053/j.gastro.2020.04.063)
