Collagen colitis, FI & LI

What do you know about collagen colitis & the connections to LI & FI?  I was treated with a steroid just for the colon but the diarrhea hasn't stopped for 1 yr.  Colonoscopy revealed nothing to the naked eye, so biopsy was performed & Path report says collagen colitis.  Recently I had the Hydrogen breath test for FI & LI & they were positive.

[Ratnakar Kini, MD]

Hi,
Collagenous colitis can cause diarrea (diarrhea). Colonoscopy will reveal nothing and the diagnosis is usually confirmed with biopsy as is done in your case.
Collagenous colitis may be assocaited with collagenous sprue. This inturn get complicated with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth which can can cause LI and FI.

[shekoe]

A related discussion, collagenous colitis link with arthritis was started.