GI Flashcards
Define Porphyria
A spectrum of disorders arising from abnormalities in haem synthesis pathway
Can be classified as acute or non-acute
What are the most common examples of acute porphyrias?
Acute intermittent porphyria and variegate porphyria
What are triggers for acute porphyrias?
- Abx = rifampicin, isoniazid, nitrofurantoin
- Anaesthetic agents = ketamine, etomidate
- Sulphonamides
- Barbiturates
- Antifungal agents
Acute porphyria features
- Abdo pain
- Nausea
- Confusion
- Hypertension
- Seizures
- Purple/red urine
Acute porphyria investigations
urinary porphobilinogen levels - make sure to protect the sample from light to prevent breakdown of the compound
Acute porphyria management
Mainly supportive, but can give haem arginate IV to replenish haem levels and reduce disease severity
Alcohol withdrawal features
Simple withdrawal (6-12 hours after last drink):
- Insomnia
-Tremor
- Anxiety
- Agitation
- N&V
- Sweating
- Palpitations
Alcohol hallucinosis (12-24 hours after last drink):
- Hallucinations of visual, tactile or auditory origins
Delirium tremens (72 hours after last drink)
- Delusions
- Confusion
- Seizures
- Tachycardia
- HTN
- Hyperthermia
What are the indications for inpatient treatment of Alcohol withdrawal?
- Pt drinks >30 units per day
- Score >30 on SADQ score
- High risk of withdrawal seizures
- Concurrent withdrawal from benzo’s
- Psychiatric or medical comorbidities
- Vulnerable pt
- Pt under 18
Alcohol withdrawal management
- Chlordiazepoxide in a reducing regimen
- Rapid acting benzo’s (e.g. IV lorazepam) for withdrawal seizures
- Pabrinex
- Oral lorazepam is 1st line for treating DT, w/ parenteral loraz/diazepam 2nd line
What are the stages of Alcoholic liver disease?
1) Fatty liver disease = reversible w/ abstinence
2) Alcoholic hepatitis
3) Cirrhosis
Alcoholic liver disease features
1) Fatty liver disease = asymptomatic, may have some hepatomegaly
2) Alcoholic hepatitis = jaundice, fever, tender hepatomegaly, N&V, malaise
3) Cirrhosis = jaundice, ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, bleeding tendencies, spider naevi, palmar erythema
Alcoholic liver disease management
Conservative:
- Abstinence
- Nutritional support
Medical:
- Alcoholic hepatitis = 1-3 months of oral prednisolone for severe cases (Maddery’s DF > 32)
- Cirrhosis = manage complications
Surgical:
- Liver transplant for cirrhotic pts
What is Maddrey’s discriminant function?
A function which predicts prognosis in alcoholic hepatitis and identifies pts who would benefit from treatment w/ steroids
Can be found online
Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency definition
Genetic deficiency in the alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency enzyme which usually inhibits neutrophil elastase
This results in emphysema and liver cirrhosis
Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency features
- COPD in pts 30-40
- Neonatal jaundice
- Deranged LFTs in adults w/ no other identifiable cause and cirrhosis
Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency investigations
- Spirometry shows obstructive picture
- Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency levels are low
- Genotyping
- CXR shows emphysema
- Liver biopsy = Periodic acid Schiff +ve globules
Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency management
- Smoking cessation
- IV A1AT (not widely used due to cost)
- Liver transplant
What causes of nausea is Cyclazine (H1 receptor antagonist) best for?
Vestibular disturbances
What causes of nausea are Domperidone or metoclopramide (D2 receptor antagonist) best for?
Post-operative nausea, motion sickness (avoid in bowel obstruction as they also increase gut motility)
What causes of nausea is Ondansetron (5HT3 receptor antagonist) best for?
Acute gastroenteritis, post-operative nausea, radiotherapy- or chemotherapy-induced
What causes of nausea is Hyoscine hydrobromide (Anti-muscarinic) best for?
Vestibular disturbances, palliative care
Ascites investigation
- Ascitic tap done under US guidance
- Serum ascites albumin gradient (SAAG)
- Bloods
- Imaging
What is Serum ascites albumin gradient (SAAG)?
A calculation used to determine the cause of the ascites:
Serum albumin concentration - ascites albumin concentration
What are causes of ascites with a high SAAG (>11 g/L)?
High SAAG suggests that the cause is due to raised portal pressure as water is being forced into the peritoneal cavity whilst albumin stays w/in the vessel - results in a higher difference between serum and ascites albumin concentrations
Causes:
- Cirrhosis
- RHF
- Budd-Chiari syndrome
- Constrictive pericarditis
- Liver failure
What are causes of ascites with a low SAAG (<11 g/L)?
- Cancer/mets in the peritoneum
- Infections = TB, peritonitis
- Pancreatitis
- Hypalbuminaemia = nephrotic syndrome, Kwashiorkor (severe protein malnutrition)
Ascites management
- Treat underlying cause
- High SAAG = salt-restricted diet and fluid restriction
- Spironolactone = 1st line treatment, add furosemide if it ineffective alone
- If pt is refractory to medical management - give regular paracentesis’s
Define Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis
Bacterial infection of ascitic fluid - a serious complication of ascites
Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis investigations
Ascitic tap showing neutrophils >250
Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis management
Acute = IV Tazocin
Prophylactic = ciprofloxacin - given if ascitic protein is high
Classification of Autoimmune hepatitis
3 different types classified by antibodies:
1) ANA +ve w/ anti-smooth muscle abs
2) Anti-liver/kidney mitochondrial type 1 (LKM1) abs - more common in children
3) Anti soluble liver-kidney antigen
Autoimmune hepatitis features
Can present as acute hepatitis:
- Fever
- Jaundice
- Malaise
- Abdo pain
- Urticarial rash
- Polyarthritis
- Pulmonary infiltrates
- Glomerulonephritis
Can present as chronic liver disease:
- Ascites
- Jaundice
- Leukonychia
- Spider naevi
Other symptoms:
- Fatigue
- Anorexia
- Hepatomegaly
- Splenomegaly
Autoimmune hepatitis investigations
- Bloods = deranged LFTs showing a hepatic pattern - raised ALT and bilirubin, normal or mildly raised ALP
- IgG predominant hypergammaglobulinemia
- Specific antibody testing
Autoimmune hepatitis management
1st line = prednisolone for acute flairs and then maintenance w/ azathioprine
2nd line = other immunosuppressants
3rd line = liver transplant
Define Barrett’s oesophagus
Metaplasia of the distal 1/3 oesophagus from the usual squamous epithelium to columnar epithelium - increases the risk of oesophageal adenocarcinoma 100-fold
Causes by long-term GORD
Barrett’s oesophagus management
Conservative:
- Manage the GORD
- If there is a short-segment (<3cm) of Barrett’s oesophagus w/out intestinal metaplasia then no further surveillance is required
Surveillance:
- Long-segment (>3cm) Barrett’s oesophagus = repeat OGD every 2-3 years
- Short-segment Barrett’s oesophagus w/ intestinal metaplasia = repeat OGD every 3-5 years
- Indefinite dysplasia = OGD every 6 months
Ablation:
- Pts w/ dysplasia are eligible for ablation therapy
1 1st line = endoscopic ablation of visualised lesions
Define Budd-Chiari syndrome
The obstruction of hepatic venous outflow, either due to thrombosis or compression of the hepatic veins and/or the IVC
This obstruction impedes the normal drainage of blood from the liver, leading to increased hepatic sinusoidal pressure causing congestion and ischaemia - eventually leads to fibrosis and cirrhosis
Budd-Chiari syndrome features
Range from asymptomatic to fulminant liver failure:
- RUQ pain
- Hepatomegaly
- Jaundice
- Ascites
- Peripheral oedema
- Splenomegaly
- Variceal bleeding
Budd-Chiari syndrome investigations
Bedside:
- Abdo exam
Bloods:
- LFTs
- FBCs and coagulation
- Serum albumin
- Ascitic tap showing high SAAG due to portal HTN
Imaging:
- Doppler USS = initial test to assess blood flow in the hepatic veins and IVC
- MRI or CT angiography = see extent of obstruction
- Hepatic venography = directly visualize veins and measure pressure
Invasive:
- Liver biopsy = assess degree of liver damage and fibrosis
Budd-Chiari syndrome management
- Anticoagulation depending on underlying cause
- Thrombolytic therapy
- Angioplasty and stenting
- Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt = to reduce portal HTN and improve blood flow
- Liver transplant if liver failure
Define Carcinoid tumour
Slow-growing neuroendocrine tumours that typically originate in the appendix and small intestine
5-10% secrete serotonin
Have the potential to become malignant
Carcinoid tumour features
Symptoms usually only occur when the pts has liver mets which allow the serotonin to enter systemic circulation w/out undergoing metabolism - this is called carcinoid syndrome:
- Abdo pain
- Diarrhoea
- Flushing
- Wheezing
- Pulmonary stenosis
Carcinoid tumour investigations
- Urine 5-HIAA levels = breakdown product of serotonin
- Imaging = CT, MRI or octreotide scans
- Tissue biopsy = definitive diagnosis through histology
Carcinoid tumour management
- Octreotide = somatostatin analogue which blocks the production of hormones by the tumour
- Surgical resection
- Embolism, radio/chemotherapy based on the extent of disease
Cholera features
- Sudden onset watery diarrhoea
- Abdo cramps
- N&V
- Excessive thirst
- Dry mouth and mucus membranes
- Oliguria
- Drowsiness or lethergy
- Irritability
Cholera investigations
- Stool culture = gold standard
- Rapid diagnostic tests = can give results w/in hrs but less sensitive and specific than stool culture
Cholera management
- Aggressive fluid replacement
- Doxycycline or co-trimoxazole can decrease the volume of diarrhoea by 50% and is recommended in pts w/ moderate to severe dehydration
What are risk factors for developing C. diff?
- Abx = clindamycin, ciprofloxacin, 3rd gen cephalosporins (e.g. ceftriaxone), penicillins, Tazocin, carbapenems
- Long stay in healthcare setting
- > 65
- IBD, cancer r kidney disease
- Immunocompromised
- Taking a PPI
C. diff features
- Watery diarrhoea which can be bloody
- Painful abdo cramps
- Nausea
- Signs of dehydration
- Fever
- Anorexia
- Confusion
- Pseudomembranous colitis on XR
Classically has a raised WCC w/ little change in CRP
C. diff management
- Stop abx if possible
- Move to side room immedietly
- Abdo X-ray looking for megacolon
- PO vancomycin for first episode
- If recurrent or persistent - switch to PO fidaxomicin
- If severe (signs of shock) add IV metronidazole
Coeliac disease features
GI:
- Abdo pain
- Distention
- N&V
- Diarrhoea
- Steatorrhea
Systemic:
- Fatigue
- WL or failure to thrive in children
- Signs of vitamin deficiency = bruising (vit K)
- Dermatitis herpetiformis
Coeliac disease investigations
Serology = 1st line - Anti-TTG IgA antibodies and IgA levels, followed by anti-TTG IgG and anti-endomyseal antibodies
OGD and duodenal/jejunal biopsy is gold standard for diagnosis
Pt needs to have been eating gluten for 6 wks before the tests for them to be valid
Dermatitis herpetiformis management
Dapsone
What are the 2WW criteria for constipation?
Constipation (or diarrhoea) w/ WL in pts 60+
Consider urgent CT/US to rule out pancreatic cancer
Give an example of a bulk forming laxative, explain how they work and the common side effects
Ispaghula husk
Works by increasing faecal mass to stimulate peristalsis
SE = Bloating and flatulence
Give an example of a stimulant laxative, explain how they work and the common side effects
Senna
Increases intestinal motility for short-term relief
SE = cramps
Give an example of a stool softening laxative, explain how they work and the common side effects
Macrogol, sodium docusate
Increases water and fat absorbance in the stool to soften it and make it easier to pass
SE = flatulence, nausea
Give an example of an osmotic laxative, explain how they work and the common side effects
Lactulose
Pulls water into the stool, or stops it being drawn out
SE = abdo discomfort, flatulence, diarrhoea, electrolyte imbalances
1st line in hepatic encephalopathy due to its inhibition of ammonia-forming microorganisms
How do Phosphate enemas work?
Increases the fluid in the small bowel and causes a motion w/in 1-5 minutes
Crohn’s features
GI Symptoms:
- Crampy abdo pain
- Non-bloody diarrhoea
- Perianal disease
- WL
- Fever
Dermatological:
- Erythema nodosum
- Pyoderma gangrenosum
Ocular:
- Anterior uveitis
- Episcleritis
MSK:
- Enteropathic arthropathy (symmetrically, non-deforming)
- Axial spondyloarthropathies
Hepatobiliary:
- Gallstones due to reduced bile acid reabsorption and increased Ca loss
Haematological:
- AA amyloidosis
- Renal stones
Signs:
- Anaemic
- Clubbing
- Aphthous ulcers in the mouth
- RLQ tenderness, RIF mass
- PR = skin tags, fistulae, perianal abscess
Crohn’s investigations
Bedside:
- Stool culture to exclude infection
- Faecal calprotectin (antigen produced by neutrophils - will be raised)
Bloods:
- Raised WCC, CRP, ESR
- Thrombocytosis
- Anaemia
- Low albumin (malabsorption)
Imaging:
- Endoscopy required for diagnosis - will show skip lesions, cobblestone mucosa, transmural inflammation and non-caseating granulomas
Crohn’s management
Inducing remission (treating flares):
- Monotherapy w/ steroids = oral pred or IV hydrocortisone (if 1st presentation and severe enough to require admission)
- Biologics
Maintaining remission:
- Azathioprine or mercaptopurine if 2 or more flares in 12 month period, or the steroid cannot be tapered
- Methotrexate can be used/added in pts who are intolerant to or uncontrolled on the above drugs
- Biologics (infliximab or adalimumab) in severe cases unresponsive to dual therapy
Surgical:
- Used to control fistulae, resect strictures or rest/defunction the bowel
Perianal fistulae management
High (trans-sphincter) fistula = drainage seton
Low (submucosal) fistula = fistulotomy (dissecting the superficial tissue and opening the tract)
Cant do a fistulotomy in a high fistula as you cant cut the sphincter
Perianal abscess management
- IV ceftriaxone + metronidazole
- Incision and drainage under GA - wound heals by secondary intention (edges not brought together)
Which drugs are Cytochrome P450 inducers?
CRAP GPS induces rage:
- Carbamazepine
- Rifampicin
- Alcohol
- Phenytoin
- Griseofulvin
- Phenobarbitone
- Sulphonylureas
Which drugs are Cytochrome P450 inhibitors?
SICKFACE.COM:
- Sodium valproate
- Isoniazid
- Cimetidine
- Ketoconazole
- Fluconazole
- Alcohol and grapefruit juice
- Chloramphenicol
- Erythromycin
- Sulphonamides
- Ciprofloxacin
- Omeprazole
- Metronidazole
What common drugs are metabolised by Cytochrome P450 enzymes?
Clopidogrel, statins, warfarin, OCP
There doses need to be reduced if taking inhibitors, and increased when taking inducers
Define Dyspepsia
A constellation of upper GI symptoms, such as epigastric pain, bloating, belching, early satiety and nausea, w/out evidence of structural or biochemical abnormalities
It requires assessment for ALARM symptoms
What are ALARM symptoms in dyspepsia?
- Anaemia
- Loss of weight
- Anorexia
- Recent onset of symptoms
- Melaena/haematemesis
- Swallowing difficulties
Dyspepsia management
Conservative:
- Smoking cessation
- WL
- Avoiding trigger foods
- Smaller meals
Medical:
- Stop offending medications = alpha/beta blockers, anticholinergics, aspirin, CCBs, corticosteroids, NSAIDs, TCA’s, bisphosphonates
Medical:
- PPI trial for 1 month
What are the causes of Dysphagia?
Neuro:
- Cerebrovascular disease
- Parkinson’s disease
- MND
- Myasthenia gravis
- Bulbar palsy
Motility disorders:
- Achalasia
- Diffuse oesophageal spasms
- Systemic sclerosis
Mechanical causes:
- Benign strictures
- Malignancy
- Pharyngeal pouch
- Lung cancer
- Mediastinal lymph nodes
- Retrosternal goitre
Other:
- Oesophagitis
- Globus
- Plummer-Vinson syndrome
Define Plummer-Vinson syndrome
A complication of long-term iron def anaemia where there are small web-like growths of tissue which partially block the oesophagus
Causes dysphagia
Define Enteric fever
Infection w/ salmonella typhi or salmonella paratyphi
Symptoms appear 6-30 days after exposure
Enteric fever features
- High fever
- Weakness
- Myalgia
- Relative bradycardia
- Abdo pain
- Constipation
- Headaches
- Vomiting (not usually severe)
- Skin rash w/ rose-coloured spots
- Confusion (if severe)
Enteric fever management
- A-E for acutely unwell pts
- Azithromycin or ceftriaxone
- Typhoid is a notifiable disease
GORD management
- For Pts <40 w/ typical symptoms and no red flags = 8 wks of PPI + lifestyle changes
Campylobacter gastroenteritis summary
From contaminated food
Incubation period = 16-48hrs
Causes bloody diarrhoea
Treated w/ macrolides e.g. clarithromycin
E.coli gastroenteritis summary
Most common cause of travellers diarrhoea
From improperly cooked meat
Treated w/ fluids
Salmonella gastroenteritis summary
From contaminated poulty, eggs and milk
Incubation period = 16-48 hrs
Causes bloody diarrhoea
Treated w/ fluids
Shigella gastroenteritis summary
Faecal-oral route
Incubation period = 1-4 days
Causes severe bloody diarrhoea
Bacillus cereus gastroenteritis summary
From contaminated foods - usually reheated rice
Causes vomiting and diarrhoea due to 2 toxins
Incubation period = 0.5-6 hours for vomiting and 8-16 hours for diarrhoea
Staph aureus gastroenteritis summary
Causes profuse vomiting w/ mild diarrhoea and abdo pain
Incubation period = <6 hrs