Gastrointestinal - Level 2.3 Flashcards
Definition of cirrhosis?
o Cirrhosis develops progressively as a result of damage to the liver
o Normal smooth liver surface becomes distorted, nodular and fibrosed
Distortion of hepatic vasculature, increased intrahepatic resistence and portal hypertension
Damaged hepatocytes cause less synthesis of clotting factors and metabolic detoxification
Types of cirrhosis?
o Compensated – liver still functions effectively and no/few symptoms
o Decompensated – liver damaged where it cannot function adequately and clinical complications present (jaundice, ascites, variceal haemorrhage, hepatic encephalopathy)
Epidemiology of cirrhosis?
- More common in urban areas, social deprivation
Common risk factors of cirrhosis?
Alcohol misuse
Hepatitis B/C
Obesity (>30)
T2DM
Less common risk factors of cirrhosis?
Autoimmune liver disease (AH, PBC, PSC)
Genetic (haemochromatosis, Wilson’s disease, alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency, CF)
Methotrexate use
Budd-Chiari syndrome
Sarcoidosis
Events causing decompensation in cirrhosis?
o Infection, portal vein thrombosis, surgery
Symptoms of cirrhosis?q
o Asymptomatic o Malaise, fatigue, anorexia o Nausea o Weight loss o Muscle wasting o Abdominal pain o Oedema
Signs of cirrhosis?
o Jaundice o Leuconychia o Palmar erythema o Dupuytren’s contracture o Scratch marks o Abnormal bruising o Keiser Fleischer rings o Hair loss o Gynaecomastia o Spider naevi o Caput Medusae o Hepatosplenomegaly o Peripheral oedema o Ascites o Sepsis o Variceal bleeding o Encephalopathy (asterixis – sudden involuntary flexion-extension movements of wrist and MCP joints when arms are extended and eyes closed)
When to suspect cirrhosis?
o Clinical findings consistent
o Chronic liver disease with low platelets, raised AST:ALT ratio, high bilirubin, low albumin or increased INR/PT
Diagnosing cirrhosis in primary care - when to perform transient elastography?
Transient elastography if:
Patient with Hep C infection
Men drinking >50 units per week for months
Women drinking >35 units per week for months
People diagnosed with alcohol-related liver disease
If not available, refer to hepatologist – liver biopsy
Diagnosing cirrhosis in primary care - people with NAFLD?
o If NAFLD and advanced liver fibrosis (diagnosed with >10.51 on enhanced liver fibrosis test (ELF)):
Transient elastography or acoustic radiation force
When to refer suspected cirrhosis to hepatologist/GI?
Hepatitis B PBC PSC Haemachromatosis Wilson’s disease
Retesting in cirrhosis - if not diagnosed on initial testing?
If not diagnosed on initial testing – retest every 2 years in:
Alcohol-related liver disease, Hep C, NAFLD or advance liver fibrosis
Tests to find cause in cirrhosis?
o Ferritin, iron/total iron binding capacity o Hepatitis serology o Autoantibodies (ANA, AMA, SMA) o AFP o Alpha-1 anti-trypsin
Grading of cirrhosis?
o Child-Pugh grading and risk of variceal bleeding
Management of cirrhosis - referral to secondary care?
Diagnosed on transient elastography
Decompensated liver disease
Misuse alcohol
End-stage liver disease requiring symptom or palliative care
Management of cirrhosis - primary care - general advice?
- Diet
- Alcohol abstinence
- Smoking cessation
- Driving – notify DVLA, cannot drive if hepatic cirrhosis with chronic encephalopathy
- Seek medical advice before taking OTC drugs
Management of cirrhosis - primary care - symptom management?
• Pruritus – colestyramine
Management of cirrhosis - primary care - follow up?
- Review medications and change dose as required
* Ensure specialist follow up
Management of cirrhosis - specialist care - management?
Upper GI endoscopy – detect varices
Liver transplant - Advanced cirrhosis due to:
Alcohol liver disease, hepatitis B&C, PBC, PSC, Wilson’s disease, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
Contraindications to liver transplant in cirrhosis?
o Extrahepatic malignancy, severe cardiopulmonary disease, sepsis, HIV, non-compliance with drug therapy
Monitoring cirrhosis in secondary care?
Calculate Model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score every 6 months for compensated cirrhosis – 12 or more high risk
US + AFP every 6 months for HCC
Upper GI endoscopy every 3 year
Managing complications of cirrhosis?
1o prevention of bleeding - Endoscopic variceal band ligation
If upper GI bleeding – prophylactic antibiotics
Refractory Ascites - Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt
Cirrhosis with ascites with protein level <15 until resolved - Prophylactic oral ciprofloxacin
Prognosis of cirrhosis?
o Irreversible – usually progresses over number of years
o Prognosis depends on cause, lifestyle, complications and hospital admissions
Complications of cirrhosis?
o Portal hypertension o Ascites o Hepatic Encephalopathy o Oesophageal varices (haemorrhage) o Infection o Hepatorenal syndrome o HCC o Portal vein thrombosis o Portal hypertensive gastropathy o Anaemia, coagulopathy
Description of hepatic encephalopathy?
Dysfunction of brain due to liver insufficiency and related to nitrogenous waste products (ammonia and glutamine) in brain
Present with cognitive and behavioural changes, sleep disturbance, motor problems and altered consciousness
Predisposed by constipation, dehydration, infection, GI bleed, drugs (opiates, benzodiazepines, diuretics)
What is hepatorenal syndrome?
Changes to circulation due to cirrhosis with water and sodium retention and renal vasoconstriction
Decrease renal blood flow and reduced glomerular filtration rate
Definition of autoimmune hepatitis?
- Chronic disease with continuing hepatocellular inflammation and necrosis which progresses to cirrhosis
- HLA implicated
Types of autoimmune hepatitis?
o 1 – presence of ASMA or ANA
o 2 – presence of anti-LKM-1 or anti-liver cytosolic 1 antibodies
Epidemiology of autoimmune hepatitis?
- Young/Middle Aged women but can occur in anybody
Associated conditions of autoimmune hepatitis?
- Associated disease: pernicious anaemia, UC, thyroiditis, T1DM, PSC, RA, glomerulonephritis
Symptoms of autoimmune hepatitis?
o Often insidious onset
o Fatigue, myalgia, pruritus, nausea
o Upper abdominal pain, anorexia, diarrhoea
Signs of autoimmune hepatitis?
Same as cirrhosis
Investigations of autoimmune hepatitis?
Bloods
o FBC - Normochromic anaemia
o LFTs - Raised ALT and AST
o Hypergammaglobulinaemia
Autoantibodies
o ANA, ASMA, ALKM1, ALC1
Diagnostic investigation of autoimmune hepatitis?
Liver biopsy - diagnostic
o Chronic hepatitis
o Mononuclear infiltrates
Management of autoimmune hepatitis?
Immunosuppression
o Prednisolone 30mg for 1 month and then decrease by 5mg each month to maintenance dose
o Azathioprine
Liver transplant
o If decompensated cirrhosis or failure to respond to medication, recurrence may occur
Definition of primary sclerosing cholangitis?
- Progressive cholestasis with bile duct inflammation and structures
Associated diseases of primary sclerosing cholangitis?
- Associated with males, HLA, AIH, IBD
Symptoms of primary sclerosing cholangitis?
o Asymptomatic
o Jaundice
o Pruritus
o If advanced – ascending cholangitis, cirrhosis and hepatic failure
Investigations of primary sclerosing cholangitis?
Bloods
o LFT – elevated ALP, GGT, bilirubin
o Abnormal albumin or PT if disease progressed
o Raised ANCA, aCL, ANA
US
o Bile duct dilatation and liver changes
MRCP to visualise the duct
Liver biopsy - staging
Management of primary sclerosing cholangitis - surveillance?
- Risk of bile duct, gall bladder, liver and colon cancer so:
o Yearly colonoscopy + US
Management of primary sclerosing cholangitis - Symptomatic control?
- Pruritus – colestyramine
- Nutrition – Fat-soluable vitamins – ADEK
- Prevent progression – ursodeoxycholic acid, avoid alcohol
- Stricture – ERCP balloon dilatation
Management of primary sclerosing cholangitis - end-stage liver disease?
- Liver transplant for end-stage liver disease
Definition of primary biliary cirrhosis?
- Progressive autoimmune disease of biliary system
- Destruction of interlobular bile ducts (canals of Hering) causing intrahepatic cholestasis which damages cells, leading to scarring, fibrosis and cirrhosis
- Women 10x
Causes of primary biliary cirrhosis?
- Causes by anti-mitochondrial antibody (AMA)
Symptoms of primary biliary cirrhosis?
- Asymptomatic
- Fatigue
- Pruritus
- RUQ pain
- Later stages – dark urine, pale stools
Investigations of primary biliary cirrhosis - bloods?
Bloods o FBC (ESR raised) o LFTs ALP raised o Late stage – raised bilirubin, PT and albumin
Antibodies (AMA present)
Investigations of primary biliary cirrhosis - imaging?
- US of liver
Investigations of primary biliary cirrhosis - diagnosis?
Liver biopsy
o AMA with cholestatic liver biochemistry
Stages of primary biliary cirrhosis?
o Portal stage – portal inflammation and bile duct abnormalities
o Periportal stage – periportal fibrosis
o Septal – septal fibrosis and inflammation
o Cirrhotic – nodules with inflammation
Management of primary biliary cirrhosis - symptomatic?
o Pruritus – colestyramine o Diarrhoea – codeine phosphate o Fat-soluble vitamin ADEK o Ursodeoxycholic acid o Liver transplant for end-stage or intractable pruritus
Monitoring of primary biliary cirrhosis?
o Regular LFTs, AFP and liver US
Definition of hereditary haemochromatosis?
- Autosomal recessive deficiency of iron regulating hormone hepcidin
- Causes increased intestinal absorption of iron leading to accumulation in tissues, especially the liver, and organ damage (joints, liver, heart, pancreas, pituitary, adrenals, skin)
Causes of hereditary haemochromatosis?
- Caused by mutation on HFE gene on chromosome 6
- Penetrance varies
Symptoms & signs of hereditary haemochromatosis?
- Symptoms start in 40-60 in men and post-menopausal women
- Fatigue
- Weakness, arthralgia
- Erectile dysfunction, decreased libido
- Amenorrhoea, hypogonadism
- Diabetes mellitus
- Arrhythmias, dilated cardiomyopathy
- Cirrhosis
- Impaired memory, mood swings and depression
- Slate-grey skin
Investigations if Northern European and features of hereditary haemochromatosis?
- If Northern European and features of HH:
o FBC, LFTs, ferritin, transferrin saturation
Investigations if raised ferritin and transferrin with normal FBC in hereditary haemochromatosis?
- If raised ferritin and transferrin (>300 and 50% males, >200 and 40% females) with normal FBC:
o Genetic testing
Further investigations of hereditary haemochromatosis?
- MRI to defect and quantify hepatic iron excess
- Biopsy not usually needed – by if so, Perl’s stain for iron
Investigations to family members in case of hereditary haemochromatosis?
- Offer lab testing to family members – FBC, LFTs, ferritin, transferrin and genetic testing
Management of hereditary haemochromatosis - when to refer?
- If serum ferritin >1000mcg/L and raised transaminases:
o Refer to hepatologist for fibrosis assessment
Management of hereditary haemochromatosis - specialist management
- Venesection - weekly o 400-500ml blood o Aim for SF 20-30 and Tsat <50% o Monitor FBC and SF/Tsat o Maintenance every 2-3 months
- Desferrioxamine if intolerant to venesection
Liver Transplant
Management of hereditary haemochromatosis - monitoring?
o AFP and US every 6 months
Complications of hereditary haemochromatosis ?
- Liver fibrosis
- Cirrhosis
- HCC
Definition of Wilson’s Disease?
- Inherited disorder of biliary copper excretion with excess copper in liver and CNS
o ATPase mutation prevents movement of copper across intracellular membranes and supports excretion of copper in bile
Causes of Wilson’s Disease?
- Caused by autosomal recessive mutation in ATP7B, on chromosome 13
- Onset during 20-30s
Symptoms of Wilson’s Disease?
- Young people with liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis, fulminant liver failure)
Signs of Wilson’s Disease - neurological?
o Tremor o Dysarthria o Dysphagia o Dyskinesia o Dystonia o Dementia o Parkinsonism o Ataxia
Signs of Wilson’s Disease - mood?
o Depression, mania, labile emotions, decreased/increased libido, personality change
Signs of Wilson’s Disease - cognition?
o Memory impairment, slow to solve problems, low IQ, delusions
Signs of Wilson’s Disease -other?
- Kayser-Fleischer ring in iris
- Blue nails, arthritis, grey skin
- Cardiomyopathy, pancreatitis, infertility