Clinical Approach to Dyspepsia Flashcards
How can the site of abdominal pain indicate the underlying viscera from which it originates?
chest: oesophagus
upper: oesophagus, stomach, duodenum, pancreas, gall bladder, colon
mid: small intestine
lower: colon, gynae
radiation to back with severe pain: biliary tree, pancreatic pain, spinal pain
What can the different characters of abdominal pain indicate?
Acid-peptic pain: burning or dull, mild or moderately severe
Intestinal pain: colicky
Biliary colic: may be constant or colicky
Colonic pain: can be extremely severe, 10/10
Biliary and pancreatic pain; can be extremely severe
What are the main causes of upper abdominal pain?
GORD Functional dyspepsia Gastric/duodenal ulcer Cancer Cholelithiasis Pancreatitis IBS Non-visceral: musculoskeletal, neuralgic, cardiac Multiple causes of pain
What are the key exacerbating factors for oesophagitis, GORD, peptic ulcers and IBS?
Oesophagitis: swallowing
GORD: food/drink, lying down, bending over. Relieved by antacids, milk, sitting up
Peptic ulcers: nocturnal, worse on hunger. Relieved by food and antacids
IBS: made worse by urge to defecate and distension. Can be relieved by defecation
What are common associated symptoms of abdominal pain?
oesophageal: heartburn, regurgitation, dysphagia, odynophagia (pain when swallowing)
gastric: early satiety, post-prandial fullness, nausea
Biliary: dark urine, pale stools, jaundice
Colonic: diarrhoea, constipation, distension
What are 4 features of duodenal pathology?
Often awakens pt at night
50-80% nightly Sx
2-3 hrs after meals
More relief from meals than GU
What are 4 features of gastric pathology?
30-40% nocturnal
Non-ulcer dyspepsia 20-40%
Food/antacids – less relief
Sx shortly after meals
What investigations may be ordered for abdominal pain?
‘Test and treat’ for H. pylori (if no alarm symptoms)
Blood count, ESR, LFTs, amylase
Plain X ray, urgent CT, if acute abdomen suspected
Ultrasound
CT
Upper endoscopy
Colonoscopy- not normally indicated for abdominal pain
Lower oesophageal pH study
In primary care, what is dyspepsia?
recurrent epigastric pain, heartburn or acid regurgitation, with or without bloating, nausea or vomiting
What are the predictors for a positive response to a 4-week trial of PPIs?
Fewer days of Sx during the 1st week of treatment
Age>40
Symptoms > 3 mths
High Score for heartburn at baseline
Low Score for Epigastric Pain, bloating, diarrhoea at baseline
Low impairment of vitality at baseline
What are the criterial for urgent direct access referral for upper GI endoscopy 9<2weeks)?
dysphagia or aged 55 and over with weight lossandany of the following: upper abdominal pain reflux dyspepsia.
How does the Los Angeles system of reflux oesophagitis classify cases?
LA Grade A: one or more mucosal breaks
< 5mm
Does not extend between the tops of 2 mucosal folds
LA grade B: one or more mucosal breaks
>5mm
Does not extend between the tops of 2 mucosal folds
LA grade C: one or more mucosal breaks that are continuous between the tops of 2 or more mucosal folds
but involve <75% of the oesophageal circumference
LA grade D: one or more mucosal breaks which involve at least 75% of the oesophageal circumference
When should PPIs be taken to achieve the best acid suppression?
Before a meal
What are side effects of PPIs?
Diarrhoea
headaches
dizziness
tiredness
What are the main clinical features of dyspepsia?
common pathophys with IBS altered gut motility visceral hypersensitivity low grade inflammation altered upper GI microbiome probiotics/antibiotics/diet
What are the Montreal classifications of GORD?
Flow diagram looking at the following categories Oesophageal vs extra oesophageal symptomatic vs injury established vs proposed associations Subtypes within each
What are the red flag symptoms when it comes to abdominal pain and dyspepsia?
anorexia weight loss persistent vomiting anaemia haematemesis and malaena abdominal mass
What are the main treatment options for GORD?
Lifestyle: weight loss, elevation of head of bed, smoking cessation, CBT
Medical: Antacids, alginates, H2RA, PPI, prokinetics
Surgical: Fundoplication
New endoscopic and surgical techniques