Clinical characteristics of ischemic colitis: Analysis of 50 cases

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Ischemic colitis (IC), the most common type of ischemic bowel disease, is one of the most common causes of lower gastrointestinal bleeding. The incidence of IC is increasing year by year, but its clinical diagnosis is difficult. Therefore, it is of great significance to investigate the clinical characteristics of IC. AIM: To investigate the clinical characteristics of IC to improve its early diagnosis. METHODS: Clinical data of 50 patients with IC diagnosed at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2012 to August 2018 were retrospective analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 50 patients with IC were included with a mean age of 61.8 years ± 12.9 years and a female predominance (70.0%). The most common symptoms were abdominal pain, hematochezia, and diarrhea. The majority of patients had comorbidities of hypertension, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, etc. Non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs, antihypertensive drugs, and statins were the most commonly used concomitant medications. Three cases were dignosed with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura at the same time. Colonic mucosal lesions presented regional distribution under colonoscope, with manifestations of erosions, hyperemia, edema, and ulcerations, and some were characterized by lumen stricture. Chronic inflammation was the most common pathological finding. All the patients were discharged after medical treatment. We followed these patient for 2 mo to 72 mo, of whom one died and six had a relapse. CONCLUSION: IC has non-specific symptoms and changes quickly, and identifing the underlying risk factors of IC and early complete colonoscopy (within 48 h) together with biopsy are important to improve the early diagnosis of IC.