Causes of diarrhoea - characteristic features (passmed)

Question 1

Gastroenteritis

Answer 1

Usually acute

May be accompanied by abdo pain or nausea/vomiting

Question 2

Diverticulitis

Answer 2

Usually acute

Classically causes left lower quadrant pain, diarrhoea, fever

Question 3

Antibiotic therapy

Answer 3

Usually acute
More common with broad spectrum antibiotics
C. difficile is also seen with antibiotic use

Question 4

Constipation causing overflow

Answer 4

Usually acute
Hx of alternating diarrhoea and constipation may be given
May lead to faecal incontinence in the elderly

Question 5

IBS

Answer 5

Usually chronic
Extremely common
Most consistent features: abdo pain, bloating, change in bowel habit.
May be diarrhoea or constipation prominent

Features such as lethargy, nausea, backache, bladder symptoms may also be present

Question 6

UC

Answer 6

Usually chronic
Bloody diarrhoea may be seen
Crampy abdo pain, weight loss common
Faecal urgency, tenesmus

Question 7

Crohn’s

Answer 7

Usually chronic
Crampy abdo pains and diarrhoea
Bloody diarrhoea less common than in UC
Malabsorption, mouth ulcers, perianal disease, intestinal obstruction

Question 8

Colorectal cancer

Answer 8

Usually chronic
Symptoms depend on site of lesion, but include diarrhoea, rectal bleeding, anaemia, constitutional symptoms e.g. weight loss, anorexia

Question 9

Coeliac disease

In children/ adults?

Answer 9

Usually chronic
In children may present with failure to thrive, diarrhoea, abdo distension

In adults lethargy, anaemia, diarrhoea, weight loss. Other autoimmune conditions may coexist

Question 10

Thyrotoxicosis

Answer 10

Also associated with diarrhoea

Question 11

Laxative abuse

Answer 11

Associated with melanosis coli: disorder of pigmentation of the bowel wall. Histology demonstrates pigment-laden macrophages.

Senna is a laxative

Question 12

Appendicitis

Answer 12

Also associated with diarrhoea