Toxicité recto-colique des anti-inflammatoires non stéroïdiens

Prescriptors know better the gastro-duodenal side effects of non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAI) than their recto-colic toxicity. One can distinguish between the noxious effect of NSAI on preexisting low pathologies and « de novo » induced acute and chronic lesions. NSAI administration may lead to complications of diverticular disease, and is likely to induce genuine bursts of chronic inflammatory bowel disease. NSAI can cause ulcerative colitis, perforations and segmentary ischemic colitis. They are undoubtly involved in acute colitis but their role in collagenous colitis remains uncertain. Rectal NSAI side effects are frequent. The seriousness of some complications (perforation, fistula...) justifies a careful and warranted prescription.