CAUSAL ASSESSMENT OF DRUG-INDUCED ACUTE COLITIS - A PROSPECTIVE-STUDYOF 58 CONSECUTIVE CASES

Aims. - The causal effect of drugs is underestimated in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. The aim of this study was to assess the ca usal implication of drugs in acute colitis. Methods. - A prospective s tudy was conducted in 58 consecutive patients with an acute inflammati on of the colonic mucosa. Recent drug intake was recorded and possible causal effects were analyzed exhaustively with respect to both intrin sic and bibliographic criteria. Results. - Causal assessment scores we re high for 57 drugs and 41 patients. Drug-induced acute colitis was d iagnosed in 35 cases. In 7 patients, physician practice had not taken into account drug use despite probable drug involvement. The main drug s implicated were antibiotics (n=42) and non steroidal anti-inflammato ry drugs (n=10). Conclusion. - Acute colitis is mainly induced by drug s.