Abdominal conditions Flashcards
How many episodes of heartburn per week suggest Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease?
At least 2
What drugs can cause GORD?
Tricyclics, anticholinergics, nitrates
What are the extra-oesophageal manifestations of GORD?
Nocturnal asthma, chronic cough, laryngitis, sinusitis
When is an endoscopy indicated for patients with GORD?
Symptoms >4 weeks/persistent vomiting/GI bleeding/Fe deficiency/palpable mass/age >55 years/dysphagia/symptoms persisting despite treatment/relapsing symptoms/weight loss
How is GORD managed?
Lifestyle changes: lose weight, raise bed head, cease smoking, small meals, avoid hot drinks/alcohol/citrus fruits/tomatoes/fizzy drinks/spicy foods/chocolate/eating before bed
Drugs: Antacids, algiantes (gaviscon)
Surgery: if severe
What can cause peptic ulcer disease?
H.pylori infection, NSAIDs, steroids, stress, alcohol, spicy meals
What symptoms does a patient with peptic ulcer disease experience?
Burning/gnawing pain that may radiate to neck/back before or after a meal, bloating, heartburn
How does the presentation of gastric and duodenal ulcers differ?
(normally
Gastric: pain worsened by eating
Duodenal: pain relieved by eating
(duodenal ulcers 4x more common)
What are the ALARM Symptoms in peptic ulcer disease that warrant urgent endoscopy?
A - Anaemia (Fe deficiency) L - Loss of weight A - Anorexia R - Recent onset/progressive symptoms M - Melaena/Haemostasis S - Swallowing difficulty
What causes acute GI bleeds?
Peptic ulcers, oesophageal varices, Mallory-Weiss tears, oesophagitis, gastritis, duodenitis
Upper GI bleeds 4x more common
What is the management plan for acute GI bleeds?
Insert large bore cannula and take bloods (crossmatch), CXR, ECG, ABG, urgent endoscopy, monitor pulse and BP
Rx: High flow O2, fluid resuscitation, transfuse blood, omeprazole, iv terlipressin/glycopressin/octreotide to vasodilate splenic artery and reduce BP
What is the name of the scoring system that determines low risk patients prior to endoscopy for GI bleeds?
Blatchford score
What is the name of the scoring system that determines risk of ongoing bleeding prior to endoscopy?
Randall score
What tends to be the causes of lower GI bleeds? (rarer)
Diverticulitis or ischaemic colitis
What are the 2 types of inflammatory bowel disease?
Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease
Distinguishing features between UC and Crohn’s?
UC - continuous area of inflammation, only affects colon, smoking is protective
Crohn’s - patchy areas of inflammation (skip lesions), affects anywhere from mouth to anus, smoking causative
Symptoms of IBD?
(bloody, mucous) recurrent diarrhoea, abdo pain, weight loss, fever, malaise, fatigue, loss of apetite
How is UC managed?
Mild: sulfasalazine, steroids (prednisolone)
Moderate: oral prednisolone and twice daily steroid enemas
Severe: NBM and iv hydration, hydrocortisone, surgery to remove affected bowel
New: Infliximab and other immunomodulators can help
How is Crohn’s managed?
Mild: prednisolone
Severe: iv hydrocortisone, NBM, metranidazole
5-ASA analogues such as sulfasalazine, azathioprine, methotrexate
TNF-alpha inhibitors: infliximab
Surgery
How is Irritable Bowel Syndrome defined clinically?
12 weeks in 12 months of abdo discomfort and 2 of: stool frequency/abnormal stool form/abnormal stool passage
Symptoms of IBS?
Cramping pain in abdomen relieved by pooing, altered bowel habits, tenesmus, abdominal bloating
Given the sometimes uncurable (but manageable) nature of IBS, what is a common complication of IBS?
75% experience bouts of depression
What are the most common causes of infective gastoenteritis?
Norovirus or food poisoning with campylobacter or salmonella
Rotavirus more common in children
What causes acute pancreatitis?
G - Gallstones E - Ethanol T - Trauma S - Steroids M - Mumps/malignancy A - Autoimmune S - Scorpion venom H - Hyperlipidaemia/hypothermia/hypercalcaemia E - ERCP D - Drugs
Symptoms of acute pancreatitis?
Epigastric pain that radiates to back (relieved by sitting forward), N+V
Look for: Cullen’s sign (periumbilical bruising) or Grey Turner’s sign (flank bruising)
What tests should be ordered in suspected acute pancreatitis?
Serum amylase/serum lipase (3x the normal limit), ABG, AXR, CT/MRI, CRP