Gastrointestinal Flashcards
What is GORD?
Reflux of gastric acid, bile and duodenal contents back into the oesophagus
Lower oesophageal sphincter relaxes independently of a swallow, allowing gastric acid to flow back into oesophagus
Risk factors of GORD?
Male
Increased abdo pressure e.g. pregnancy
Smoking
Hitatus hernia
Clinical features of GORD?
Heartburn
Acidic taste in the mouth, often relieved by antacids
No investigations usually needed - diagnosis on clinical findings
Management of GORD?
Antacids e.g gaviscon
PPI e.g. lanzoprazole
Complications of GORD?
Peptic stricture
Barrets oesophagus = squamous to columnar
What are peptic ulcers? What types are there?
A break in epithelial cells which penetrate two to the mucosa, there are 2 types
Duodenal: worse at night (more common)
Gastric: worse on eating (lesser curve)
Causes of peptic ulcers?
Helicobacter pylori
NSAID use
If helicobacter causes peptic ulcer, Dx and Tx?
Diagnosis: urea breath test, serology, stool antigen test
Treatment: PPi and 2 antibiotics - clarithromycin and metronidazole
If NSAID use causes peptic ulcer, pathophysiology, Dx and Tx?
Pathophysiology: NSAIDs inhibit cox1 which inhibits the production of prostaglandins needed for mucous production
Dx: endoscopy
Tx: Stop NSAID, treat with PPi and use PPi prophylaxis if NSAID use again 6 months after
Describe coeliac disease?
Autoimmune disease characterised by abnormal jejunal mucosa, that improves when gluten is withdrawn from diet and relapses when it is reintroduced
SUSPECT IN: diarrhoea, weight loss and anaemia
Describe the pathophysiology of coeliac disease?
- Gliadin binds to secretory IgA in the mucosal membrane
- The gliadin IgA is transcytosed into the lamina propria
- Gliadin binds to tTG and is deaminated
- Deaminated gliadin is taken up by macrophages and expressed on MHC2
- T helper cells release inflammatory cytokines and stimulate B cells
- This causes gut damage
Diagnosis of coeliac disease?
IgA-tTG blood test
Duodenal biospy
Symptoms of coeliac?
Bloating
Failure to thrive
Diarrhoea
Dermatitis Herpetiformis
Management of coeliac?
Lifelong gluten free diet and correction of any vitamin deficiencies
Complications of coeliac?
There is an increased risk of malignancy, particularly intestinal T cell lymphoma, smlall bowel and oesophageal cancer
Incidence is reduced with GF diet
What would cause a suspicion of malabsorption?
Weight loss + steatorrhoea + anaemia = malabsorption
Causes of malabsorption?
Poor intake Steatorrhoea Reduced surface area Lack of digestive enzymes Defective epithelial transport Lymphatic obstruction
Symptoms of malasorption?
Diarrhoea Weight loss Lethargy Steatorrhoea Bloating
Signs of malabsorption?
Anaemia Bleeding disorders Oedema Metabolic bone disease Neurological features such as neuropathy
Tests for malabsorption?
FBC - low calcium, low ferritin, low B12 and folate, high INR, lipids and coeliac tests
Stool microscopy
Breath hydrogen test for bacteria
Endoscopy and small bowel biospy
What is Crohns disease?
type of IBD
Transmural granulomatous inflammation affecting any part of the gut
What would you see macroscopically and microscopically with Crohns?
MACROSCOPIC: skip lesions, cobblestone appearance, thickened and narrowed
MICROSCOPICA: transmural granulomas (non-caseating) goblet cells present
Symptoms of Crohns?
Diarrhoea
Abdominal pain in RLQ
Weight loss
Lethargy
Signs of Crohns?
Mouth ulcers
Tenderness in RIF
Risk factors for Crohn’s?
Smoking
Female
Mutation on NOD2 gene of chromosome 15
Chronic stress
Investigations of Crohn’s?
Diagnostic test - colonoscopy
Stool sample to rule out infectious causes
FBC - raised ESR/CRP often low Hb due to anaemia
Management of Crohns?
Oral corticosteroids
IV hydrocortisone in severe flare ups
Add antiTNF antibodies e.fg. infliximab if not improvement
Consider adding Azathioprine or methotrexate to remain in remission if frequent exacerbations
What is ulcerative colitis?
A type of IBD
Inflammatory condition of the colon mucosa
What would you see macroscopically and microscopically with ulcerative colitis?
MACROSCOPIC: continuous inflammation, no skip lesions, ulcers, pseudopolyps
MICROSCOPIC: mucosal inflammation, no granulomata, depleted goblet cells
Symptoms of ulcerative colitis?
Pain in the LOWER LEFT quadrant
Diarrhoea with blood and mucous
Signs of ulcerative colitis?
Fever, in acute UC
Clubbing
Erythema nodusum
Investigations of ulcerative colitis?
FBC - raised ESR and CRP
Testing for pANCA
Stool sample to rule out infectious cauess q
Management of ulcerative colitis?
Sulfasalazine, add oral prednisolone if no response
Colectomy indicated in patients with severe UC not responding to treatment
What is backwash ileitus?
In ulcerative colitis when proximal to the ileocecal valve is affected
What is irritable bowel syndrome?
A group of abdominal symptoms which no organic cause can be found
Risk factors for IBS?
Stress
Female gender
Symptoms of IBS?
Abdominal pain relieved by defacating
Bloating
Alternating bowel habits