[Causal assessment of drug-induced acute colitis. A prospective study of 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 causal implication of drugs in acute colitis.
Methods: A prospective study was conducted in 58 consecutive patients with an acute inflammation of the colonic mucosa. Recent drug intake was recorded and possible causal effects were analyzed exhaustively with respect to both intrinsic and bibliographic criteria.
Results: Causal assessment scores were high for 57 drugs and 41 patients. Drug-induced acute colitis was diagnosed in 35 cases. In 7 patients, physician practice had not taken into account drug use despite probable drug involvement. The main drugs implicated were antibiotics (n = 42) and non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (n = 10).
Conclusion: Acute colitis is mainly induced by drugs.