ETIOLOGYAND THE ROLE OF PROCTOSIGMOIDOSCOPY IN PATIENTS WITH ACUTE BLOODY DIARRHEAS

Abstract

Objective:

Materials and methods:

Results:

Conclusion:

Fibreoptic Proctosigmoidoscopy is a simple and easier procedure to diagnose different causes

of acute bloody diarrhea and should be considered in all cases except in seriously ill and dehydrated

patients. The common causes of acute bloody diarrhea in our community are Bacterial proctocolitis,

Amebiasis and Ulcerative colitis.

Thirty-two patients (64%) were having new onset bloody diarrhea, while 18 patients (36%) were

giving history of recurrent bloody diarrhea. All patients had evidence of Procto-colitis on fibreoptic

sigmoidoscopy. The most common conditions were Ulcerative colitis in 25(50%), Bacterial dysentery in

15(30%) and Amebic proctocolitis in 7(14%). Findings on Proctosigmoidoscopy were mucosal hyperemia

(50%), bleeding points (38%), ulcers (44%), pus (20%), pseudo polyps (4%) and mass (4%).

This descriptive study was conducted in the department of medicine, Lady Reading

hospital from 2005 to 2008. A total of 50 patients were studied, comprising of 35 males and 15 females.

Mean age of the sample was 32.66 + 15.4 years). Patients who presented with acute bloody diarrhea of

between 3-30 days duration were studied. Patients who had history of recurrent bloody diarrhea were also

included. Patients below 12 years, severely dehydrated and seriously ill were excluded. All patients

underwent fibreoptic Proctosigmoidoscopy and Rectal biopsy. Amebic colitis was confirmed on stool

examination for Trophozoites of Entameoba histolytica, typical proctosigmoidoscopic findings and response

to anti-amebic drugs.

To find out the etiology of acute bloody diarrheas in patients admitted to a tertiary care

hospital.