RESUMEN
Background : Chronic diarrhoea remains a major gastroenterological problem in Thailand Data regarding investigation, diagnosis and treatment of chronic diarrhoea varies from one country to another. Socio-economic status including sanitation and hygiene may also affect etiology and the clinical course of disease. There data may be misleading for practitioners facing the problem in Thailand. To date, few studies on chronic diarrhoea in Thailand are available. Objectives : To find the causes and clinical courses of chronic diarrhoea. To determine the frequency of various causes. Finally, to see if simple guidelines can be developed to help investigators in Thailand reach a final diagnosis. Methods : Thirty-four in-patients with chronic diarrhoea at Siriraj Hospital were worked up using a systematic scheme for evaluation of chronic diarrhoea by prospective study. Close follow-ups were monitored for an average period of six months. Results : Among the 34 cases, a definite diagnosis was reached in 21 cases (62%) : parasitic infestation seven cases (33%), carcinoma of colon four cases (19%), lymphoma there cases (14%), radiation proctitis two cases (9%), malabsorption and/or maldigestion two cases (9%), tuberculous peritonitis one cases (5%) hyperthyroidism one case (5%) and villous adenoma one case (5%). Conclusion : Our study suggests that a simple investigation using complete blood count, stool examination, and especially concentration methods and sigmoidoscopy in all patients can usually find in up to 38 per cent, while further investigations can detect causes in up to 62 per cent. Of the 13 patients for whom no definite diagnosis was reached, spontaneous remission of chronic diarrhoea was found in four cases (31%).