Proctitis
Alerts and Notices
Synopsis
Proctitis typically presents with tenesmus and bloody bowel movements. Symptoms can vary in intensity and continuity, often related to the underlying etiology. If untreated, patients can develop persistent bleeding and anemia, perianal abscesses, ulcerations, or fistulas.
Treatment depends on the cause and ranges from antibiotic or antiviral therapy to anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive therapy.
Codes
ICD10CM:K62.89 – Other specified diseases of anus and rectum
SNOMEDCT:
3951002 – Proctitis
Look For
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Diagnostic Pearls
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Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls
Etiologies of proctitis:- Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn disease, ulcerative colitis)
- Anal trauma
- Infection: STIs, nonsexually transmitted infections (Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, Escherichia coli, Clostridium difficile, or amebiasis)
- Radiation proctitis
- Ischemic colitis
- Anorectal malignancy (see anal cancer, rectal carcinoma)
- Anal fissure
- Thrombosed internal or external hemorrhoids
- Microscopic colitis
- Irritable bowel syndrome – colonoscopy with biopsies will be normal
Best Tests
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Management Pearls
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Therapy
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Drug Reaction Data
Below is a list of drugs with literature evidence indicating an adverse association with this diagnosis. The list is continually updated through ongoing research and new medication approvals. Click on Citations to sort by number of citations or click on Medication to sort the medications alphabetically.Subscription Required
References
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Last Reviewed:02/09/2018
Last Updated:07/02/2020
Last Updated:07/02/2020