Gastroenterology Flashcards
Which medications can increase risk of C. diff?
- Broad spectrum antibiotics
- PPIs
What is the management of C.diff?
1st line = Oral vancomycin
2nd line = Oral fidaxomicin
3rd line = oral vancomycin +/- IV metronidazole
Which antibodies are associated to pernicious anaemia?
Intrinsic factor antibodies
Gastric parietal cell antibodies
Features of pernicious anaemia…
General anaemia features = lethargy, pallor, dyspnoea
Neurological features = peripheral neuropath - ‘pins and needles’, numbness, subacute degeneration of the spinal cord –> ataxia, progressive weakness, spasticity
Other features = macroglossia
Which clotting factors are affected in liver disease?
All clotting factors except factor VIII (which is produced in endothelial cells across body, not just liver)
What is a severe adverse effect of aminosalicylates?
Associated with Agranulocytosis –> signs= sore throat, fever, fatigue, bleeding gums
What are some extra-intestinal features of Crohn’s?
Related to disease activity
Arthritis - asymmetric
Erythema nodosum
Episcleritis
Osteoporosis
What test is used to for re-testing after H.Pylori eradication?
Urea breath test - only offered re-test if poor compliance with eradication therapy, family hx of gastric malignancy, pt has requested re-testing
What LFTs are seen in liver dysfunction/ hepatocellular picture?
Raised ALT
Normal ALP
Ratio of ALT/ALP = 5x
What LFTs are seen in cholestasis?
Raised ALP
Normal ALT
Ratio of ALT/ALP = <2
Management of Crohn’s…
Inducing remission:
1st line = Glucocorticoids
2nd line = Mesalazine
3rd line = Azothioprine can be used in combination (NOT as monotherapy)
In refractory disease = Infliximab
Maintaining remission:
1st line = Azothioprine / mercaptopurine
2nd line = Methotrexate
What is the acute management of variceal haemorrhage?
- Initially ABC resuscitation
- Terlipressin and IV prophylactic antibiotics to be given
- Endoscopic variceal band ligation
- Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPSS) used if above measures fail
What is used as prophylaxis of variceal haemorrhage?
- Propranolol –> reduce rebleeding risk
- Endoscopic variceal band ligation
What does HBsAg positive indicate?
Surface antigens present –>Current/ acute infection - first marker to appear
What does HBsAg persisting over 6 months indicate?
Chronic disease
What does Anti-HBs indicate?
Immunity or exposure (after which they have produced antibodies)
What does Anti-HBc indicate?
Previous or current infection
What does IgM anti-HBc indicate?
Appears during acute infection, present around 6 months
What does IgG anti-HBc indicate?
IgG persists after the acute phase of infection - chronic disease
What are the features of autoimmune hepatitis?
- Signs of chronic liver disease (hepatomegaly, spider naevi)
- Fever and jaundice seen in autoimmune hepatitis
- Amenorrhoea
What is the management of ulcerative colitis?
Inducing remission:
In proctitis and proctosigmoiditis –> Topical aminosalicylate
If no remission within 4 weeks: Add oral aminosalicylate
If remission still not achieved –>oral corticosteroid
In extensive disease –> topical aminosalicylate + high dose oral aminosalicylate
Maintaining remission:
Topical +/- oral aminosalicylates
**After severe relapse or >2 exacerbations in a year –> Azothioprine
What is the management of severe UC?
Admission for IV steroids
2nd line = IV ciclosporin