Rifaximin Treatment of Collagenous Colitis: A Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Introduction: Collagenous colitis (CC) is a disabling disease primarily affecting elderly women. Sparse, well-documented treatment modalities exist, except for budesonide. Long-term and repetitive treatment with budesonide is often necessary. Rifaximin is a poorly absorbed antibiotic with a positive modulatory effect on gut microbiota. In this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled single-centre trial, we test the effect of adding rifaximin in continuation to budesonide on relapse rates in CC. Methods: Eligible patients with active, biopsy-verified CC received oral budesonide during a 6-week open-label induction phase. Patients in clinical remission after 4 weeks of treatment were randomised to receive either rifaximin or placebo for 4 weeks. Results: Fifteen patients were randomised to receive either rifaximin (n = 7) or placebo (n = 8). At 12-week follow-up, 2 patients in the rifaximin group were still in remission and none in the placebo group (p = 0.2). The median number of days in remission in the rifaximin group was 42 (interquartile range [IQR] 33–126) compared to 18.5 (IQR 10.5–51.5) in the placebo group (p = 0.189). At 12-week follow-up, the relapse rate per 100 person-days in the placebo group was higher (3.25 [1.40–6.41]) than in the rifaximin group (1.33 [0.43–3.10]). Conclusion: Although not statistically significant (p = 0.0996), the study suggests a potential improvement in relapse rates within the rifaximin group compared to the placebo group. A major limitation in the study is the small sample size

Sonographic and Endoscopic Findings in Cocaine-Induced Ischemic Colitis

Cocaine-induced ischemic colitis is a recognized entity. The diagnosis is based on clinical and endoscopic findings. However, diagnostic imaging is helpful in the evaluation of abdominal symptoms and prior studies have suggested specific sonographic findings in ischemic colitis. We report sonographic and endoscopic images along with abdominal computed tomography in a case of cocaine-induced ischemic colitis

Case Report Sonographic and Endoscopic Findings in Cocaine-Induced Ischemic Colitis

Cocaine-induced ischemic colitis is a recognized entity. The diagnosis is based on clinical and endoscopic findings. However, diagnostic imaging is helpful in the evaluation of abdominal symptoms and prior studies have suggested specific sonographic findings in ischemic colitis. We report sonographic and endoscopic images along with abdominal computed tomography in a case of cocaine-induced ischemic colitis