Gastrointestinal (GI) Flashcards
In the ABC criteria for Irritable Bowel Syndrome, what does A, B and C stand for?
Abdominal pain or discomfort
Bloating
Change in bowel habit
The most commonly used anti-diarrhoeal medication and its mechanism of action…
Loperamide/Imodium
Opioid that does not enter the CNS, works to slow down the GI tract/gut motility for colon to absorb more water and form stool.
In what (4) circumstances is Loperamide contraindicated?
Acute severe ulcerative colitis
Fever
Blood in stools
Suspecting C.Diff infection
The two antibiotics used for treating Clostridium difficile (C.Diff)…
Metronidazole (oral or IV)
Oral Vancomycin
Bulk forming laxative used for treating constipation…
Fybogel/Ispaghula husk
Class of laxative AVOIDED in IBS-C. Why?
Osmotic Laxatives, e.g. Lactulose.
Side effects: Flatulence + abdominal bloating which are already symptoms of IBS.
Laxative AVOIDED in opioid-induced constipation. Why?
Bulk forming laxative, Fybogel/Ispaghula husk. Prevents peristalsis of the increased bulk, which worsens abdominal pain and can contribute to bowel obstruction
Inflammatory Bowel Disease - Name the two conditions
Ulcerative Colitis
Crohn’s Disease
The name of the stool sample test to distinguish between IBD and IBS/other causes? What is it/why do we use it?
Faecal Calprotectin.
Elevated faecal calprotectin indicates the migration of neutrophils to the intestinal mucosa, which occurs during intestinal inflammation.
What (9) features (red flags) would make you cautious to diagnose IBS?
Anaemia, Fever, Persistent diarrhoea or constipation, Rectal bleeding, symptoms at night, Family history of colon cancer, unexplained weight loss, onset of symptoms over the age of 50.
In Ulcerative Colitis, how is the inflammation characterised?
Mucosa and sub-mucosal inflammation only
In Crohn’s Disease, how is the inflammation characterised?
Transmural inflammation - affecting the mucosa, sub-mucosa and muscularis externa
First line treatment for inducing remission in mild to moderate ulcerative colitis… What is used if it is contraindicated/not tolerated?
Aminosalcylate - Mesalazine. Oral or topical depending on region of the colon that is affected.
Not tolerated - oral or topical steroid (budesonide)
First line treatment for severe/acute ulcerative colitis… What is used if it is contraindicated/not tolerated?
IV steroids (hydrocortisone).
Not tolerated - IV cyclosporine (immunosuppressant)
First line treatment to induce remission in Crohn’s Disease… What is used if this is contraindicated/not tolerated?
Steroids
Not tolerated - aminosalcylate
In Crohn’s Disease, what medications are used if the patient experiences >2 exacerbations per year or if unable to wean steroids?
Methotrexate OR Azathioprine (Immunosuppressants)