Clinical Feature of Pseudomembranous Colitis with Ascites

Kwon, Oh Wan; Lee, Oh Young; Kwon, Young Il; Jeong, Jae Yoon; Baek, Yoo Hum; Moon, Won; Kim, Jung Mi; Koh, Dong Hee; Lee, Hang Lak; Yoon, Byung Chul; Choi, Ho Soon; Hahm, Joon Soo; Lee, Min Ho; Lee, Dong Hoo; Kee, Choon Suhk

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Ascites is a fairly common condition, but the clinical features of pseudomembranous colitis with ascites are not well-known. The aim of this study was to determine how the existence of ascites is related to the clinical factors.
METHODS
Between March 2002 and June 2006, 67 pseudomembranous colits patients were diagnosed by performing lower endoscopy and biopsy. The patients' ascites was identified by abdominal plain radiography, ultrasonography or computerized tomography. The extension of colitis was evaluated by ultrasonography or computerized tomography.
RESULTS
16 patients (23.9%) had ascites. The serum WBC (p=0.01), hypoalbuminemia (p<0.01), CRP (p<0.01), recurrence (p<0.01), and extension of colitis (p<0.01) were associated with the existence of ascites. The four patients who had undergone paracentesis had a low SAAG level and PMN dominant ascites.
CONCLUSIONS
There were correlations of ascities with leukocytosis, hypoalbuminemia, CRP, extension of colitis and recurrence of PMC.