Gastroenterology Flashcards
What are the two idiopathic chronic inflammatory diseases?
- Ulcerative colitis
- Crohn’s disease
When theres an overlap between ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, what is this termed?
Indeterminate colitis
What is the clinical presentation of Crohn’s disease?
- abdominal pain
- diarrhoea
- peri-anal disease
What is the clinical presentation of ulcerative colitis?
- diarrhoea & bleeding
What three factors are involved in the pathogenesis of IBD?
- Genetic predisposition
- Mucosal immune system
- Environmental triggers
What is the name of a particular disease susceptibility gene involved in IBD?
NOD2/CARD15
What is the specific function of gene NOD2/CARD15?
Encodes a protein involved in bacterial recognition
Crohn’s disease is mediated by what cells?
Type 1 T helper (Th1) cells
Ulcerative colitis is mediated by what cells?
Mixed:
- type 1 T helper (Th1) cells
- type 2 T helper (Th2) cells
- natural killer T cells
What effects does smoking have on Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis?
- Aggravates Crohn’s disease
- Protects against ulcerative colitis
What medication should not be used in the case of IBD, as it can trigger a flare up?
NSAIDS
What part/s of the bowel does ulcerative colitis effect?
Colon (specifically the rectum)
What are the terms given for the three different extents of ulcerative colitis within the large intestine?
- Proctitis
- Left-sided colitis
- Pancolitis
What is meant by Proctitis?
Inflammation of the lining of the rectum
What is meant by left-sided colitis?
Inflammation extending from the rectum through the sigmoid and descending portions of the colon
What is meant by Pancolitis?
This is a form of ulcerative colitis that effects the entire large intestine
What are common symptoms of ulcerative colitis?
- diarrhoea + bleeding
- increased bowel frequency
- tenesmus (feeling of needing to go to toilet)
- Incontinence
- lower abdominal pain
How would you categorise severe ulcerative colitis?
> 6 bloody stools/24 hour period + 1 or more of:
- fever
- tachycardia
- anaemia
- elevated erythrocyte levels
What components would you expect to see in blood in a patient with ulcerative colitis?
- C-reactive protein (CRP)
- albumin
- platelets
What is the purpose of a colonoscopy?
This maps and assesses the extent of the colon involved in disease process
In an endoscopy, what signs would indicate active inflammation?
- loss of vessel pattern
- granular mucosa
- contact bleeding
True or false, ulcerative colitis affects the sbumcosual layers of cells?
False
What is the incidence of Crohn’s disease?
5 per 100,000/ year
What is a skip lesion?
Where there is an area of inflamed tissue, with area of normal tissue in front and behind
What is transmural inflammation?
Where the bowel wall thickens and in some cases the lumen narrow
What determines the symptoms of Crohn’s disease?
Determined by the site of the disease
What are the symptoms of Crohn’s disease in the small intestine?
- abdominal cramps
- diarrhoea
- weight loss
What are the symptoms of Crohn’s disease in the colon?
- Abdominal cramps
- diarrhoea with blood
- weight loss
What are the symptoms of Crohn’s disease in the mouth?
- angular chelitis
- Painful ulcers
- swollen lips
What are the symptoms of Crohn’s disease in the anus?
- Peri-anal pain
- Abscess
What is a characteristic feature of the large intestine wall in Crohn’s disease?
“Cobble stoning” effect
What are the three therapeutic strategies for IBD?
- lifestyle advice
- drugs
- surgery
What type of diet should you maintain if you have Crohn’s disease?
- low residue (fibre) diet
- elemental diet (e.g. modulen- has anti-inflammatory properties)
- strict gut rest (e.g. parenteral nutrition)
What medication should be used to treat acute flare ups of ulcerative colitis?
Steroids
What medication should be used to treat acute flare ups of Crohn’s disease?
Steroids
What medication/s should be used to treat chronic ulcerative colitis?
- mesalazine (5-ASA)
- immunosuppressants
- biologics
What medication/s should be used to treat Crohn’s disease?
- immunosuppressants
- biologics
Give an example of a corticosteroid given by IV to treat IBD.
Methylprednisolone/ hydrocortisone
Give an example of a corticosteroid given by orally or topically to treat IBD.
Prednisolone
What immunosuppressive medication is usually first line for treating Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis?
azathioprine
What is anti-TNF therapy?
Interferes with action of protein TNF which is overactive in the body in people with inflammatory disease
What is vedolizumab and its action?
It is a gut-selective integrin blocker. It blocks integrin which stops white blood cells entering the gut and this reduces inflammation
When would surgery be the best option for an individual with IBD?
In an emergency where there is failure to respond to medical therapy, small bowel obstruction, abscess or fistulae
Name the 5 therapies used for Crohn’s disease and/or ulcerative colitis.
- steroids
- 5-ASA
- immunosuppressives
- biologics
- JAK inhibitors
Name the three significant GI diseases that can occur due to malabsorption?
- Pernicious anaemia
- Coeliac disease
- Crohn’s disease
How do antacids function?
They are alkalis which form a salt with the gastric acid in GI tract and therfore neutralise its effect on tissues
What are the three main triggers which make parietal cells in the stomach produce acid?
- Acetylcholine
- Gastrin
- Histamine
How can acetylcholine be reduced?
By reducing the vagus nerve stimulation to the stomach, this can be done surgically by cutting the nerve
How can histamine production be reduced?
Using H2 receptor blockers
What drugs directly inhibit the release of acid?
Proton pump inhibitors
What is the action of H2 receptor antagonists?
Reduce acid production by preventing histamine activation of acid production
Name a H2 receptor which is safe for clinical use and licensed for over the counter sale?
Ranitidine
Name an example of a commonly used proton pump inhibitor
Omeprazole
Give three examples of oesophageal disorders
- Dysphagia
- Fibrosis (scleroderma or acid related)
- neuromuscular dysfunction (e.g. Parkinson’s)
Define scleroderma
Where elastic tissue is replaced by fibrous tissue
What is GORD?
Chronic irritation due to repeated acid reflux into the oesophagus
What is achalasia?
Where the nerve supply to the oesophagus does not form properly
What is functional dysphagia?
When anxiety causes loss of normal control of oesophageal function
What is dysmotility Dysphagia?
Where fibrous tissue replaces muscle tissue
What might cause Dysphagia in regards to surrounding structures?
Compression of the oesophagus by surrounding structures
What are the three main causes of GORD?
- defective lower oesophageal sphincter
- impaired lower clearing (not emptying properly into stomach)
- impaired gastric emptying
What are the effects/consequneces of GORD?
- ulceration
- inflammation
- metaplasia
- Barrett’s oesophagitis ( potentially malignant)
What cancer can result from Barrett’s oesophagitis?
Adenocarcinoma