Chronic diarrhea is defined as an increase in the frequency of daily defecation (3 or more times daily) or increase in the amount of stool (more than 200g/day of loose or liquid stools),which lasts more than 4 weeks. It was reported that almost 5% of the population at any given point in time suffered from chronic diarrhea, Although the exact prevalence is unknown. Diarrheal syndromes result from disturbances in any of the basic pathophysiological processes including osmosis, active secretion, exudation or inflammation, and altered motility. Most etiologies will have a complex pathophysiology involving one or more of these mentioned mechanisms.
Diagnosis of chronic diarrhea depends on detailed history, physical examination, laboratory investigations, imaging and endoscopic procedures.
Aim of the work
To provide the prevalence of different etiological causes of chronic diarrhea among the patients attending Alexandria Main University Hospital (AMUH).
Subjects
This study included Egyptian adult patients who complaind of chronic diarrhea and were attended Gastroenterology clinic in AMUH in the period from August 2019 to August 2020.