Study Background and Disease Burden
Microscopic colitis (MC) is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the large intestine, primarily detected via microscopic examination of colon biopsies. It predominantly affects middle-aged and older adults and has seen a notable increase in incidence over recent decades. Despite being characterized by symptoms such as chronic watery diarrhea and abdominal discomfort, MC is often underrecognized in clinical practice. Patients with MC frequently report a diminished quality of life, which may relate not only to physical symptoms but potentially to psychological well-being as well. To date, large-scale, population-based evidence on the risk of psychiatric disorders following MC diagnosis has been limited, representing a significant gap given the increasingly recognized gut-brain axis interactions and the known psychosomatic aspects of many gastrointestinal disorders.