GI Flashcards
What hypersensitivity is coeliac disease?
type 4 - t cell mediated
What type of protein is not tolerated in coeliac disease?
prolamin (a-gliadin)
What happens to a-gliadin when it is not digested?
it passes into cells and is deaminated by transglutaminase, it interacts with antigens and causes T-cells to produce and inflammatory response
What physiological change happens in the gut to cause symptoms of coeliac disease?
villous atrophy and crypt hyperplasia
What are the key presentations of coeliac disease?
malabsorption - weight loss
steatorrhea
anaemia (B12 deficiency)
fatigue
diarrhoea
abdominal pain
What can decreased vitamin D lead to in coeliac disease?
osteomalacia
What are the main complications of coeliac disease?
anaemia
malignancy - T cell lymphoma, GI cancers
What is the 1st line investigation for coeliac disease?
IgA tissue transglutaminase (TTG)
What is the gold standard investigation for coeliac disease?
duodenal biopsy
What would an FBC show in someone with coeliac disease?
low Hb
low folate
low ferritin
low B12
What areas of the bowel does ulcerative colitis (UC) effect?
ONLY the colon
starts at rectum - can progress to ileocaecal valve
What layer of the bowel does UC effect?
ONLY the mucosa but is circumferential and continuous
What may be present in severe UC?
ulcers and pseudo-polyps
What is a protective factor against UC?
smoking
What are the key presentations of UC?
remissions + exacerbations of symps
abdo pain/cramps - lower left quadrant
episodic chronic diarrhoea
systemic symptoms - fever, anorexia, weight loss
What are the colon related complications of UC?
blood loss
perforation
toxic dilation
colorectal cancer
What skin conditions can arise due to UC?
erythema nodosum
pyoderma gangrenosum
What other areas of the body can UC effect?
joints -ankylosing spondylitis
eyes - uveitis
liver - fatty change
What would blood tests show in UC?
raised WC
raised platelets
raised ESR and CRP
What would stool samples show in UC?
raised faecal calprotectin
rules out C. diff
What is the gold standard investigation for UC?
colonoscopy - biopsy
sigmoidoscopy
What is the type of medication used in UC?
aminosalicylates
(5- aminosalicyclic acid, 5-ASA)
oral or suppository (for proctitis)
Give an example of an aminosalicylate used to treat UC
sulfasalazine
mesalazine
olsalazine
What is the 2nd line treatment for UC?
corticosteroid - oral prednisone (glucocorticoid)
What surgical treatment can be used for UC?
colectomy
OR ileostomy + stoma
What part of the GI tract does Crohns disease effect?
any part from the mouth to the anus
What layers of bowel does Crohns effect?
transmural - through all layers of bowel
non - continuous, skip lesions
What are the key presentations of Crohns disease?
abdo pain
weight loss
bloody diarrhoea
pain on defecation
What are some of the extraintestinal signs of crohns?
clubbing
oral aphthous ulcers
skin/joint/eye problems
What are some of the complications of crohns disease?
malabsorption
perforation and obstruction
colorectal cancer
anaemia
What would blood tests show in crohns disease?
raised WCC, platelets, CRP and ESR
anaemia
Why might you do faecal tests if you suspect crohns disease?
to excludeC. diff/campylobacter
raised faecal calprotectin
What is the gold standard investigation for crohns disease?
colonoscopy/biopsy
What is the first line treatment for Crohns disease?
oral prednisolone
correct deficiencies - iron/folate/b12
Give an example of an anti-TNF antibody used to treat crohns
infliximab
adalimumab
What drug can help maintain remission in crohns disease?
azathioprine
methotrexate
What is irritable bowel syndrome?
a mixed group of abdominal symptoms with no organic cause
What are the key presentations of IBS?
ABC
Abdominal pain/discomfort
Bloating
Change in bowel habit
What are the diagnosis criteria for IBS?
abdominal pain/discomfort
+2 of:
relived by defecation
altered stool form
altered bowel frequency
What other symptoms may be associated with IBS?
painful periods
bladder symptoms
back pain
joint hypermobility
fatigue
nausea
What are some of the red flag symptoms for colon cancer?
unexplained weight loss
bleeding on defecation
abdo mass
anaemia
FH
age >50
nocturnal symptoms
What blood tests are used to rule out other diseases if IBS is suspected?
FBC - anaemia
ESR/CRP - inflammation
tTG/EMA - coeliac
What other investigations can be done to rule out differentials in IBS?
faecal calprotectin - IBD
colonoscopy - IBD, cancer
What is the management for mild IBS?
education and reassurance
dietary modification - regular meals, smaller meals, hydration, avoid caffeine/carbonated drinks
avoid FODMAPs - sugars found in fruits/veg
What can be recommended to patients with IBS-C (constipation)
eat barley/oats/beans/prunes/figs
soluble fibre
What can be recommended to patients with IBS-D (diarrhoea)
avoid insoluble fibre
cereals, whole wheat bread, lentils, apples, avocados
What medications can be given for pain/bloating in IBS?
antispasmodics e.g. mebeverine, buscopan
What medication can be given for diarrhoea in IBS?
loperamide
What medication can be given for constipation in IBS?
laxatives e.g. macrogol, docusate, senna
What can cause obstruction of the appendix leading to appendicitis?
faecoliths, bezoars, trauma, intestinal worms
What are the key presentations of appendicits?
guarding - tender mass in RIF
pyrexia - high temp (fever)
nausea/vomiting
What is the gold standard investigation for appendicitis?
CT scan
What is the gold standard treatment for acute appendicitis?
appendicectomy - laparoscopic
open (laparotomy) surgery is sometimes required
What should be given IV pre and post operatively in acute appendicitis?
abx e.g. metronidazole, cefuroxime
What are the complications of acute appendicitis?
perforation
adhesions
pelvic inflammatory disease
What can cause a small bowel obstruction?
adhesions - 60%
hernias
malignancy
crohns
What are the key presentations of small bowel obstruction
colicky pain ->diffuse pain
vomiting following pain
tenderness
increased bowel sounds (tinkling)
What is the 1st line investigation for small bowel obstruction?
abdominal X-ray
shows central gas shadows
no gas in large bowel
distension
What is the gold standard investigation for small bowel obstruction?
non-contrast CT
localises obstruction
How do you manage small bowel obstruction?
fluid resus
decompression of bowel “drip and suck”
nil-by-mouth start and NG tube, decompress bowel (suck)
IV fluids (drip)
analgesia
surgery to remove obstruction