Chronic diarrhea screening
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Chronic diarrhea Microchapters |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Case Studies |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Omodamola Aje B.Sc, M.D. [2]
Overview
There are certain features which if present in a patient complaining of diarrhea for over 4 weeks require further evaluation. Some of the screening modalities include, radiographic imaging studies, endoscopy/enteroscopy/capsule enteroscopy, histopathology of the small bowel and colon, bacteriology/microbiology[1], serological testing and chemical analysis of stool.
Screening
There are certain features which if present in a patient complaining of diarrhea for over 4 weeks require further evaluation. these include:
- Rectal bleeding
- Weight loss
- Age > 50 years
- Pain
- Associated psychological factors
- Somatization
- Dietary causes of diarrhea
References
- ↑ Khanna S, Pardi DS, Rosenblatt JE, Patel R, Kammer PP, Baddour LM (2012). "An evaluation of repeat stool testing for Clostridium difficile infection by polymerase chain reaction". J Clin Gastroenterol. 46 (10): 846–9. doi:10.1097/MCG.0b013e3182432273. PMID 22334221.