[Characteristics of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs-induced colopathy].

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) induce a broad spectrum of toxicologic manifestations throughout the gastrointestinal tract, including the large intestine. Even though several studies indicated that NSAIDs can cause perforation and bleeding of diverticula or they exacerbate inflammatory bowel disease, NSAIDs possibly damage the normal large intestine; such involvement has been characterized by ulceration, stricture and colitis. And NSAIDs might be an etiological factor in collagenous colitis. While severe stricture, which has been referred to as "diaphragm-like stricture", has been known to be the most characteristic phenotype of the colonic involvement, NSAIDs-induced colonic ulceration should be regarded as a preceding stage for the stricture formation. Further epidemiological studies and therapeutic trials are warranted to clarify NSAIDs-induced colopathy.