Gastrointestinal Flashcards
What is inflammatory bowel disease?
The umbrella term for two main diseases that causes inflammation of the GI tract - Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis.
Is IBD always continuously inflamed?
No, associated with periods of remission and exacerbation.
What is the acronym for remembering the features of Crohn’s disease?
NESTS:
-No blood or mucous.
-Entire GI tract affected.
-Skip lesions on endoscopy.
-Terminal ileum most affected and Transmural inflammation.
-Smoking is a RF.
What is the acronym for remembering features of ulcerative colitis?
CLOSEUP:
-Continuous inflammation.
-Limited to colon and rectum.
-Only superficial mucosa affected.
-Smoking is protective.
-Excrete blood/mucous.
-Use aminosalicyclates.
-Primary sclerosing cholangitis association.
Who is affected most by IBD?
Jewish people.
What causes IBD?
Unclear - autoimmune condition.
What is IBD a big risk factor for?
Colorectal cancer and other autoimmune diseases.
What is the gold standard investigation for IBD?
Colonoscopy and biopsy.
Which investigation may be positive in UC but not Crohn’s?
May be pANCA positive in UC.
Compare and contrast UC and Crohn’s.
- UC affects the bowel and rectum.
-Crohn’s affects the entire GI tract. - UC affects only the mucosa layer.
-Crohn’s is transmural inflammation. - UC has continuous inflammation.
-Crohn’s has ‘skip lesions’. - In UC, smoking is protective.
-In Crohn’s smoking is a RF. - In UC, there is blood and mucous.
-In Crohn’s there is rarely blood and mucous.
What is the main risk factor for IBD?
Family history.
Has Crohn’s or UC more genetic association?
Crohn’s has a stronger genetic link.
Explain the epidemiology of Crohn’s.
Presents ages 20-40. Northern European.
-Affects females more than male.
-More Jewish people affected.
Explain the epidemiology of UC.
Presents ages 20-40y.
-Affects females and males equally.
-More common in Jewish people.
-Incidence 3x higher in non-smokers.
Is UC or Crohn’s more common?
Ulcerative colitis is more common.
How does ulcerative colitis usually present?
LLQ pain, cramps and discomfort.
-Episodic diarrhoea with blood and mucous.
-Fever, anorexia, malaise and weight loss.
Which condition is commonly associated with ulcerative colitis?
Primary sclerosing cholangitis (90%).
What are the blood and stool results in someone with IBD?
Raised WCC, platelets, CRP and ESR in blood.
Raised foecal calprotectin in stool.
What is used to rule out infections in IBD?
Stool samples to test for bacteria.
What is the aim of treatment for IBD?
To induce remission of the disease.
What are the 1st and 2nd line treatments for UC?
1st - Aminosalicyclate (mesalazine).
2nd - Steroids (prednisolone).
How is remission maintained in ulcerative colitis?
With immunosuppressants:
-Azathioprine and methotrexate.
What is a curative option for UC?
Surgery - to remove the inflamed bowel portion and making a stoma.
What are colonic complications of IBD?
Colorectal cancer, blood loss and perforation.
Which two autoimmune conditions are associated with IBD?
Ankylosing spondylitis and arthritis.
What exacerbates and triggers flare ups in IBD?
NSAIDs, certain foods, chronic stress and depression.
Why are symptoms of Crohn’s more broad than UC?
The whole GI tract is affected and symptoms will arise from where the inflammation is.
What are small bowel symptoms of Crohn’s?
Abdominal pain, weight loss.
-Terminal ileum = RLQ pain.
What are colonic symptoms of Crohn’s?
Bloody diarrhoea (not as common), shitting pain.
What are systemic symptoms in IBD attacks?
Fever, fatigue, malaise, anorexia/weight loss.
What are the colonoscopy and biopsy findings in IBD?
UC - Continuous and mucosal inflammation.
Crohn’s - Skip lesions and transmural inflammation.
Why does Crohn’s disease lead to anaemia and vitamin deficienies?
Inflammation affects the small intestine so vitamin absorption, leading to anaemia.
What is the first line treatment for Crohn’s?
Steroids (prednisolone).
How is remission maintained in Crohn’s?
Immunosuppressants:
-Azathioprine.
-Methotrexate.
What surgery option is available for Crohn’s?
If the terminal ileum is affected, it can be removed and and an ileostomy (stoma) is done.
What is coeliac disease?
Autoimmune condition causing inflammation of the mucosa of the small intestine in response to gluten. Causes villous atrophy, crypt hyperplasia and malabsorption.
Where does coeliac disease affect?
Mostly the jejunum.
Describe the epidemiology of coeliac disease.
Equal in men and women and can start at any age.
When does coeliac disease usually present?
Infancy, and in middle age.
What type of disease is coeliacs?
Autoimmune - T4 hypersensitivity.
What are the two main risk factors for coeliac disease?
-Autoimmune disease (thyroid, Addison’s, T1DM, auto hep, PSC, PBC).
-Family history (HLADQ2 and HLADQ8).
Describe the genetic associations of coeliac disease.
HLA-DQ2 (90%).HLA-DQ8.
Describe the pathophysiology of coeliac disease.
T4 hypersensitivity - Autoantibodies are created in response to exposure to gluten to the small intestine.
-Villous atrophy and crypt hyperplasia.
Which autoantibodies are present in coeliac disease?
Anti-TTG and anti-EMA autoantibodies (IgA).
How does coeliac disease present in infants?
Failure to thrive.
How does coeliac disease present?
Diarrhoea, steatorrhoea, fatigue, weight loss, pain.
-Mouth ulcers, anaemia, dermatitis herpetiformis.
What are three rare symptoms of coeliac disease?
Neuro Sx:
-Peripheral neuropathy, ataxia, epilepsy.
Why does coeliac disease cause anaemia?
Villous atrophy causes malabsorption causing iron, folate and B12 deficiencies.
What is the first line investigation used in coeliac disease?
Serum antibodies:
-Total IgA.-Anti-TTG.-Anti-EMA.
What is the gold standard investigation in coeliac disease?
Duodenal biopsy.
-Crypt hypertrophy and villous atrophy.
What are three other investigations for coeliac disease and why?
Genetic testing (confirm gene), FBC (investigate anaemia) and DEXA scan (investigate osteoporosis).
How is coeliac disease managed?
Lifelong gluten free diet.
-Monitor complications and coeliac antibodies.
What are four complications of coeliac disease?
Vitamin deficiency, anaemia, osteoporosis, cancer (lymphoma, oesophageal, gastric, small/large bowel).
What is irritable bowel syndrome?
A group of functional chronic bowel disorders without an organic cause.
Describe the epidemiology of IBS.
Onset usually below 40y.
-More common in females.
-Affects 20% of Western world.
What causes IBS?
Unknown, there are theories of causes but thought to be related to psychology (stress, anxiety, drugs and a poor diet).
What are the types of IBS?
IBS-C - Mostly constipation.
IBS-D - Mostly diarrhoea.
IBS-M - Mixed and alternating.
What are the six risk factors for IBS?
GI infections, previous severe long-term diarrhoea, anxiety/depression, stress, trauma/abuse, eating disorders.
How does IBS usually present?
Diarrhoea, constipation, ado pain/cramps, bloating.
-Altered stool form and frequency.
-Change in bowel habit.
-Worse after eating.
-Relieved by defaecating.
When should IBS be considered?
ABC:
-Abdominal pain.
-Bloating.
-Change in bowel habit.
What type of diagnosis is IBS?
A diagnosis of exlcusion.
How is IBS diagnosed?
-Once all organic causes are rules out (IBD, coeliacs, cancer).
-Normal bloods (FBC, ESR, CRP, coeliac screen).
-Normal foecal calprotectin.
-Normal colonoscopy and biopsy.
How is IBS managed?
Eat a healthy diet and exercise.
-Regular small meals.
-Adequate fluids.
-Reduce processed foods.
-Limit caffeine and alcohol.
What are the medications used for IBS?
1st - loperamide (diarrhoea), laxatives (constipation).
2nd - Tricyclic antidepressants.
3rd - SSRIs.
What else can be used to help people with IBS who are stressed?
CBT.
What is GORD?
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.-When stomach acid refluxes back into the oesophagus due to decreased LOS pressure and irritates the lining of the oesophagus.
Why is the oesophagus more sensitive to stomach acid?
The oesophagus has squamous epithelia which is more sensitive to stomach acid whereas the stomach has columnar epithelia.
What are the five causes of GORD?
Hiatal hernia, alcohol, obesity, pregnancy, smoking.
What are the symptoms of GORD?
Dyspepsia (indigestion):
-Heartburn, acid regurgitation, bloating, nocturnal cough, hoarse voice.
-Retrosternal or epigastric pain.
When are symptoms of GORD worse and why?
When laying down as acid refluxes easier.
When is endoscopy done in GORD?
When there are red flags that suggest malignancy or serious conditions.
What are seven red flags when investigating GORD?
Weight loss, N+V, haematemesis, dysphagia, low haemoglobin, raised platelets, resistant to treatment.
What is the treatment for GORD?
Lifestyle, medications (omeprazole) and surgery.
How is lifestyle changed in GORD?
Losing weight, avoid smoking, reduce tea/coffee and alcohol, smaller meals and avoid heavy meals before bed.
Which medications are used to treat GORD?
-Heartburn medication when required.
-PPIs (omeprazole/lansoprazole) to reduce acid secretion.
How is surgery used to treat GORD?
Laparoscopic fundoplication to tighten the LOS and decrease the amount of acid refluxing into the oesophagus.
What is a complication of GORD?
Barrett’s oesophagous.
What is Barrett’s oesophagus?
Metaplasia from squamous to columnar epithelium in the lower oesophagus.
Do symptoms of GORD get worse in Barrett’s oesophagus?
No, they typically improve.
Who is Barrett’s oesophagus more common in?
Middle aged males.
What is the typical presentation of Barrett’s oesophagus?
Middle aged man with a long history of GORD and dysphagia.
How is Barrett’s oesophagus diagnosed?
OGD and biopsy.
What is Barrett’s oesophagus a risk factor for?
Adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus as Barrett’s oesophagus is premalignant.
What is the progression of Barrett’s oesophagus?
No dysplasia - Low grade dysplasia - High grade dysplasia - Adneocarcinoma.
How is Barrett’s oesophagus treated?
With strong PPIs to reduce acid secretion and RF ablation surgery (destroys cells so they’re replaced with normal).
Why is Barrett’s oesophagus monitored?
It is a big risk factor for oesophageal cancer (adenocarcinoma).
What is a peptic ulcer?
Ulceration of the mucosa of the stomach (gastric) or the duodenum (duodenal).
Which peptic ulcers are most common?
Duodenal ulcers are more common.
What are the five risk factors for peptic ulcers?
Smoking, H. pylori, stress, drugs (NSAIDs) and alcohol.
Describe the pathophysiology of peptic ulcers.
Mucosa is prone to ulceration from:
-Breakdown of protective layer.
-Increase in stomach acid.
What increases the breakdown of protective layer of the stomach/duodenum?
NSAIDs or H. pylori.
What increases the secretion of stomach acid?
Stress, alcohol, caffeine, smoking and spicy food.
How do peptic ulcers usually present?
Epigastric pain, N+V, dyspepsia, iron deficiency anaemia, haematemesis and melaena.
What are the red flags in peptic ulcers?
Haematemesis, coffee ground vomit, anaemia and dysphagia.
If no red flags are present, how are peptic ulcers investigated?
Stool antigen test and urease breath test (H. pylori).
If red flags are present, how are peptic ulcers diagnosed?
Endoscopy and biopsy.
How are peptic ulcers managed?
-If on NSAIDs, stop.
-If H. pylori - triple therapy CAP (clarythromycin, amoxicillin, PPI).
-High dose PPIs to reduce acid secretion.
Where are most gastric ulcers located?
The lesser curve of the stomach.
Where are most duodenal ulcers located?
First part of duodenum at the posterior wall.
Which type of peptic ulcer is worse on eating and which is better in eating?
Worse on eating - gastric.
Better in eating - duodenal.
Which peptic ulcer is worse between meals?
Duodenal ulcers.
Which peptic ulcer is relieved by anti-acids?
Gastric ulcers.
What is a common complication of a duodenal ulcer?
Ruptured gastroduodenal artery and bleeding.
What are three complications of peptic ulcers?
Bleeding, perforation and peritonitis, pyloric stenosis.
What is gastritis?
Inflammation of the stomach’s mucosal lining.