Crohn's Disease Flashcards
Aetiologies?
Genetic vs Environmental triggers
Largely unknown
Epidemiology?
Males = Females
Peak ages 20-40 and 60+
Pathology?
Chronic inflammation of anywhere in the GI tract due to prolonged activation of the mucosal immune system vs normal gut flora
Signs and Symptoms?
Depend on location, e.g. diarrhoea, abdominal pain, weight loss, malaise, anorexia, N+V, fever
Malabsorption, mouth ulceration, perianal symptoms, clubbing, erythema nodosum
Investigations and Findings?
Colonoscopy + biopsy - Skip lesions, non-caseating granulomas
FBC - decreased Hb
Biochem - increased ESR, decreased albumin
Management?
Mild: steroids, progressively lowering dose
Severe: hospital –> IV fluids, high dose steroids, biologics
Complications?
Haemorrhage
Perforation
Toxic dilation
Colonic cancer