2: Inflammatory Bowel Disease Flashcards
What are the two types of inflammatory bowel disease
Ulcerative Colitis
Crohn’s disease
Where does UC affect
Large colon
Where does Crohn’s disease affect
Entire GI tract - especially the terminal ileum
Where does crohn’s disease most commonly affect
Terminal ileum
Where is inflammation in UC
Confined to mucosa
Where is inflammation in Crohn’s disease
Transmural
What are two microscopic changes associated with UC
- Crypt abscesses
- Decrease goblet cells
What are two macroscopic changes associated with UC
- Continuous inflammation
- Pseudopolyps
What is a microscopic sign of crohn’s disease
- Non-cesating granuloma
What are two macroscopic signs associated with crohn’s disease
- Discontinuous inflammation = cobblestonong
- Fistula
What age does Crohn’s disease present
Bimodal:
- 13-30
- 60-80
Which ethnicity is Crohn’s disease more common in
Ashkenazi Jews
What are 3 RF for Crohn’s disease
- Smoking
- FH
- Appendectomy - increases risk post-op crohn’s
What are 5 symptoms of crohns disease
- Colicky abdominal pain
- Diarrhoea - may contain blood or mucus
- Low-grade fever
- Anorexia
- Malaise
- Peri-anal disease
- Oral aphthous ulcers
- In late stages can present as malnourishment and failure to thrive
What are 4 presentations of perianal disease associated with crohn’s
- Skin tags
- Skin fistulas
- Perianal abscess
- Bowel stenosis
What are extra-intestinal manifestations of Crohn’s disease that affect the following
a. Joints
b. Skin
c. Eye
a. enteropathic arthritis (SI Joints)
b.
erythema nodosum
pyoderma gangrenosum
c.
Anterior Uveitis
Episcleritis
Iritis
What is erythema nodosum
Inflammation subcutaneous fat - presents as tender erythematous nodules over the shins
What is pyoderma gangrenosum
Usually on the lower limbs. Starts as a red papule then develops to have a necrotic base with vialaceous borders
What investigations are ordered for all patients with Crohn’s disease
- Faecal calprotectin
- FBC
- CRP
- U+E
- Colonoscopy w/biopsy
What does faecal calprotectin shown in Crohn’s disease
Raised
How will FBC present in crohn’s disease
Microcytic anaemia
How will U+Es present in Crohn’s disease
Low albumin
How will CRP present in Crohn’s disease
Raised
What is gold-standard investigation of Crohn’s disease
Colonoscopy and biopsy
What will colonoscopy with biopsy shown
- Cobblestonong (Skip Lesions)
- Histologically: non-cesating granuloma
When is CT used and what does it show
Used in severe Crohn’s disease to look for fistulas
When will examination under anaesthesia and protosigmoidoscopy be useful
If peri-anal disease is present
What is important for acute-flares of Crohn’s disease and why
IV Fluids
Nutrition
LMWH - as crohn’s puts individuals in a pro-thrombotic state
What is first-line medication to induce remission in Crohn’s disease
Glucocorticoids
What glucocorticoids are used
Methylprednisolone
Prednisolone
Hydrocortisone
What is second-line to induce remission in Crohn’s disease
5-ASA drugs, such as mesalazine
What is third-line to induce remission in Crohn’s disease
Azathioprine or Metcartopurine
What needs to be assessed before giving aziothioprine
Thioprine methyl transferase levels (TPMT)
If individuals have low TPMT levels what can be given
Methotrexate
What is used as fourth-line for inducing remission in Crohn’s disease
Infilximab
What are two indications for use of infliximab
Refractory crohn’s
Fistulas
What may be used to manage isolated peri-anal disease
Metronidazole
What is first-line to maintain remission in Crohn’s disease
Azathioprine and Mercatopurine
If low TPMT activity, what may be an alternative to azathioprine to maintain remission
Methotrexate