GI Flashcards
Diarrhea
Drug used to treat HAART associated diarrhea
Crofelemer
Diarrhea
A patient has a mass in his liver and diarrhea what is the likely cause? What is the treatment?
E. Histolytica
Diarrhea
What is the treatment for E. Histolytica
Metronidazole, then a lumenal agent - Paromomycin. Amebic colitis is treated first with a nitroimidazole derivative and then with a luminal agent to eradicate colonization. Paromomycin is safe, well tolerated, and effective in the treatment of intestinal amebiasis, including in patients with HIV infection. [73] Diloxanide is a dichloroacetamide derivative that is amebicidal against trophozoite and cyst forms of E histolytica. It is not available in the United States. Amebic liver abscess can be cured without drainage by using metronidazole. Treatment with a luminal agent should also follow. Disseminated amebiasis should be treated with metronidazole, which can cross the brain-blood barrier.
Diarrhea
What is a new treatment for c-diff?
Fidaxomicin is the first in a new class of narrow spectrum macrocyclic antibiotic drugs
Diarrhea
What is the initial treatment for c-diff if mild disease?
Metronidazole
Diarrhea
What do you do if there is a recurrence after treatment of mild c-diff with metronidazole?
treat again for 10 days
Diarrhea
What if there is a 3rd episode of recurrence of c-diff?
treat with oral vancomycin or fidaxomicin
Diarrhea
What are the 2 most important risk factors for C. difficult antibiotic-associated colitis and how is it diagnosed?
Clostridium difficile Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea Diagnosis C. difficile antibiotic-associated colitis is produced by two toxins, A and B. The most important risk factors are antibiotic use and hospitalization, but community-acquired infection is becoming increasingly common.
EIAs to detect the toxins are specific, but sensitivity using a single stool sample is 75% to 85%. PCR assays to detect the genes responsible for production of toxins A and B are more sensitive than EIAs.
The stool C difficile toxin test detects harmful substances produced by the bacterium Clostridium difficile (C difficile). This infection is a common cause of diarrhea after antibiotic use.
How the Test is Performed
A stool sample is needed. It is sent to a lab to be analyzed. There are several ways to detect C difficile toxin in the stool sample.
Enzyme immunoassay (EIA) is most often used to detect substances produced by the bacteria. This test is faster than older tests, and simpler to perform. The results are ready in a few hours. However, it is slightly less sensitive than earlier methods. Several stool samples may be needed to get an accurate result.
A newer method is to use PCR to detect the toxin genes. This is the most sensitive and specific test. Results are ready within 1 hour. Only one stool sample is needed.
Stool toxin first. PCR best.
Diarrhea
What are the criteria for severe C. diff disease and how is the treatment different from mild disease?
Management of C. difficile infection is based upon disease severity. Severe disease is defined by any one of the following: • leukocytecount>15,000/μL • serumcreatininelevel≥1.5timesbaselinelevel • age>60years Hospitalized patients with known or suspected illness should be placed under contact isolation. Therapy Discontinue the offending antibiotic. Treat mild to moderate C. difficile infection with oral metronidazole. Treat severe infection with oral vancomycin. Severe disease associated with ileus may benefit from the addition of IV metronidazole and vancomycin enemas; select colectomy for very severe or complicated disease (e.g., toxic megacolon or severe sepsis). A first recurrence is treated in the same way as the initial episode, based on disease severity. A second relapse is treated with oral vancomycin given as a prolonged taper or pulse therapy for >6 weeks. Fecal microbiota transplant is used for patients with multiple relapses. Fidaxomicin, a nonabsorbable macrolide, is an alternative to vancomycin. ◆◆don’t be tricked • Donotobtainstoolculturesandcellculturecytotoxicityassays.
Diarrhea
After returning home from South America, a patient presents with non-bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, eosinophilia. what is the most likely diagnosis?
Strongyloides
Diarrhea
A patient with AIDs and a low CD4 count presents with large volume diarrhea. Organisims are seen in a modified acid fast stain. What is the likely diagnosis?
Cryptosporidium
Diarrhea
What is the treatment for cryptosporidium in AIDS
Nitazoxinide, also get CD4 up. worse disease under 100
Diarrhea
C-diff produces and inflammatory diarrhea. What will you find in the stool?
Both RBCs and WBCs
Diarrhea
What type of diarrhea is found with RLQ pain?
Yersinia Enterolitica
Diarrhea
What are the criteria for severe C-diff infection? What is the treatment?
Management of C. difficile infection is based upon disease severity. Severe disease is defined by any one of the following:
• leukocytecount>15,000/μL
• serum creatinine level≥ 1.5 times baseline level
• age>60years
Hospitalized patients with known or suspected illness should be placed under contact isolation. Therapy Discontinue the offending antibiotic. Treat mild to moderate C. difficile infection with oral metronidazole. Treat severe infection with oral vancomycin. Severe disease associated with ileus may benefit from the addition of IV metronidazole and vancomycin enemas; select colectomy for very severe or complicated disease (e.g., toxic megacolon or severe sepsis).
Diarrhea
Diarrhea associated with LLQ pain, diarrhea, blood and fever
Campylobacter jejuni
Diarrhea
Patient gets sick 6 hours after eating potato salad at a picnic… what is the likely cause?
Staph toxin
Diarrhea
Diarrhea and blisters 2 days after eating sushi?
Vibrio vulnificus
Diarrhea
A nursery school teacher with diarrhea… most likely cause?
rotovirus
Diarrhea
Diarrhea on a cruise-ship?
norovirus
Diarrhea
Patient with bloody diarrhea and jaundice and RUQ pain/fever? What is the treatment?
Bloody diarrhea followed by RUQ pain, fever +/- Jaundice Amebiasis( treatment metronidazoll + paromomycin)
Diarrhea
Which agent causing diarrhea is associated with raw eggs?
Salmonella
Diarrhea
What is this?
Giardia Trophozite
Diarrhea
What are 3 categories of chronic diarrhea?
- Secretory
- Inflammatory -
- Osmotic - laxitives
Diarrhea
When do you order stool samples in Acute Diarrhea?
The majority of acute diarrhea in developed countries is due to viral gastroenteritis or food poisoning and is self-limited.
A care-ful review of medication history (including nonprescription medications and supplements) is indicated to look for drugs that cause diarrhea. If diarrhea does not resolve in 1 week, evaluation is recommended with stool testing for common bacterial pathogens, including Clostridium difficile.
Do not be tricked into ordering stool samples for acute diarrhea less than one week.
Diarrhea
77 y.o. male presents with diarrhea and LUQ pain that wakes him from sleep followed by diarrhea a few hours later. Unremarkable physical exam. H/O diabetes, CAD. Last year he had a normal colonoscopy. What is the likely diagnosis? What is the treatment?
Ischemic colitis, recent colonoscopy so none needed at this time. Treat with observation and fluids.
Diarrhea
Watery diarrhea, bloating. flatulence and wt loss in a HIV positive patient. What special staining is required? What is the treatment?
Cyclosporidium - Watery diarrhea, bloating, flatulence, weight loss Modified acid-fast stain Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole
HIV patients have more severe illness with wasting
Diarrhea
what is the definition of chronic diarrhea?
Chronic diarrhea is arbitrarily defined as lasting longer than 4 weeks and is often due to noninfectious causes, except for infection with
Giardia lamblia
. This diagnosis should be considered in patients with exposure to young children or potentially contaminated water (lakes and streams
Diarrhea
ACP board basics 2015
Name some common medications that can lead to chronic diarrhea.
Medications are often overlooked as a cause of chronic diarrhea. Look for PPIs, magnesium-containing antacids, metformin, colchicine, antibiotics, and sorbitol (added as a sweetener to gum and candy).
Select colonoscopy for most patients with chronic diarrhea. Patients undergoing colonoscopy should have the terminal ileum viewed to assess for Crohn disease and undergo random biopsies of the colonic mucosa to assess for microscopic colitis.If the colonoscopy is nondiagnostic, a 48- to 72-hour stool collection with analysis of fat content measures the amount of diar-rhea and steatorrhea. Fat excretion above 14 g/d is diagnostic of steatorrhea. Patients with steatorrhea should undergo evaluation for small-bowel malabsorption disorders (e.g., celiac disease), bacterial overgrowth, and pancreatic insufficiency.Stool electrolytes (sodium and potassium) can be measured in liquid stool to calculate the fecal osmotic gap, which helps to diagnose osmotic diarrhea. he gap is calculated as 290 − 2
×
[Na
+
K]; an osmotic gap
>
100 mOsm/kg H
2
O indicates an osmotic diarrhea. A gap
<
50 mOsm/kg H
2
O indicates a secretory diarrhea. Measured stool osmolarity
<
250 mOsm/kg H
2
O suggests factitious diarrhea associated with chronic laxative abuse or adding water to the stool.Osmotic diarrhea is most commonly caused by lactase deficiency. Osmotic diarrhea is associated with eating, improves with fasting, and typically is not nocturnal. Secretory diarrhea is characterized by large-volume, watery, nocturnal bowel movements and is unchanged by fasting (see also Celiac Disease).
Diarrhea
What is this and what is the treatment?
Microscopic Enterocolitis - treated with (1) if drug related - stop drug (2) bundesonide treatment (3) bismuth may be of some benefit?
Diarrhea
What are some of the medications that can cause microscopic enterocolitis?
PPIs and NSAIDS may cause microscopic enterocolitis
Lansoprazole is a potent proton pump inhibitor that has been well tolerated with minimal serious adverse events. One of the most commonly reported side effects is diarrhea in 3–8% of study patients. During 1997, approximately 850 veterans at our institution had their proton pump inhibitor converted from omeprazole to lansoprazole because of a formulary change. A number of patients subsequently developed chronic watery diarrhea. While evaluating six of these patients, we discovered microscopic colitis that resolved with discontinuation of lansoprazole. The diarrhea was described as three to 10 loose, nonbloody bowel movements per day with some abdominal cramping. Colonoscopy in five patients and flexible sigmoidoscopy in one patient revealed normal colonic mucosa, but random biopsies all supported microscopic colitis (five cases of lymphocytic colitis and one case of collagenous colitis). Complete symptom resolution occurred in all patients within 4 to 10 days of discontinuing lansoprazole. In all patients, follow-up biopsies demonstrated normalization of the colonic histology. This is the first published case series of patients with microscopic colitis that correlated clinically and histologically with the initiation and discontinuation of lansoprazole.
Diarrhea
Bloody diarrhea associated with raw meat?
e.coli 0157:H7
Diarrhea
Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome is associated with which type of diarrhea and what is the mnemonic/features?
E-coli 0157:H7
F - Fever
A - anemia
T-thrombocytopenia
D-diarrhea
R-Renal Failure
Diarrhea
TPP is associated with which type of bloody diarrhea and what are the features?
- E.Coli 0157
- F - fever
- A - anemia
- T - throbocytopenia
- R - Renal
- N - Neuro changes
- Ten percent of patients with enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 (EHEC) colitis develop HUS or TTP.
Colon Cancer
In the general population, when should colon cancer screening begin?
At the age of 50 and every 10 years thereafter
All adults ages 50-75 y using annual FOBT, flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 y with FOBT every 3 y, or colonoscopy every 10 y
Diarrhea
How do you treat moderate c-diff initially
Oral Vancomycin
Colon Cancer Screen
A healthy fifty 55 year old never screened for colon cancer with no family history of cancer. USPSTF when to screen for ca colon?
Screening starts at fifty. The USPSTF 2016 does not differentiate between initial tests in terms of “best”
The bottom line:
A number of CRC screening tests are available, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Less invasive tests usually need to be performed more often, such as once a year. Others, like colonoscopy, need to be done every 10 years. Talk with your doctor to figure out which test is right for you.
Stool-based tests include:
FOBT or fecal occult blood test (performed annually). In this test, which checks for blood in the stool, people gather samples from two or three consecutive bowel movements and pass them onto a doctor’s office or lab for testing. There is no prep, but people may need to avoid certain foods or medications beforehand. If blood is found, a colonoscopy will be needed to determine if it’s from cancer or some other cause.
FIT or fecal immunochemical test (performed annually). Similar to the FOBT, this test checks for blood in the stool in a different way. Multiple stool samples are required, but there are no drug or dietary restrictions. As with the FOBT, if blood is found, a colonoscopy will be required to determine the source.
FIT-DNA or multi-targeted stool DNA test (performed every one to three years). This test checks for blood in the stool as well as DNA mutations that might drive colorectal cancer. Available only by prescription, this kit comes via mail with tools to help people gather an entire stool, which is then mailed off for testing. If the test finds blood or DNA mutations, a colonoscopy will be needed.
“Direct visualization” tests take pictures of all or part of the colon, using a tiny camera or X-rays. They include:
Colonoscopy (performed every 10 years). In this 30-minute test, a doctor examines the entire colon and rectum using a tiny camera. Patients need to prep in advance by drinking a large amount of liquid laxative. A special diet may be required beforehand, as well. A sedative is used during the test, which is usually performed in a hospital outpatient setting or clinic. Unlike other tests, doctors can also remove or biopsy suspicious-looking polyps.
CT colonography (performed every five years). This test uses a CT or CAT scan (i.e. multiple X-rays) of the colon and rectum to look for polyps or cancer. It’s done quickly (it only takes 10 minutes or so), doesn’t require sedation and is somewhat less invasive, but prep is still required. People may also need to drink a “contrast” solution beforehand. If suspicious polyps or other areas are found, a colonoscopy will most likely still need to be used.
Flex sig or flexible sigmoidoscopy (performed every five years). This test allows a doctor to examine the rectum and part of the colon using a flexible lighted tube with a tiny camera on the end. It requires a prep of some sort so the colon is cleaned out and may also require a special diet beforehand. The test takes about 10 to 20 minutes and doesn’t necessarily require sedation (although it’s an option if you prefer). If a small polyp is found, the doctor can remove it. If it’s found to be cancerous (or pre-cancerous), a colonoscopy will need to be done to check the rest of the colon.
Combination tests:
Flex sig with FIT (performed every 10 years). A combination of the above test with a home FIT test that requires gathering samples from multiple stools. Again, if blood or suspicious polyps are found, a follow-up colonoscopy will be required.
Colon Cancer Screen
What is Lynch Syndrome?
Lynch syndrome is diagnosed if a patient meets the criteria for HNPCC and also has an identified germline mutation in one of the four mismatch repair genes or the epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EPCAM). Lynch syndrome is also associated with an increased risk for extracolonic tumors, most commonly. If an inherited colon cancer syndrome is suspected, the patient and family members should be referred for genetic testing.
HNPCC(Lynchsyndrome),whichisanautosomaldominantdisorder
HNPCC(Lynchsyndrome),whichisanautosomaldominantdisorder Hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) diagnostic criteria include:
HNPCC(Lynchsyndrome),whichisanautosomaldominantdisorder Hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) diagnostic criteria include:
- ≥3 relatives with colorectal cancer
- onerelativeafirst-degreerelativeoftheothertwo • ≥2 successive generations affected
- onecancerdiagnosedbeforeage50years
Colon Cancer Screen
Lynch Syndrome - When to start screening and how often?
Risk Profile When to Initiate Colonoscopy Screening
HNPCC risk Every 1-2 years starting at age 20 or 25 years, or 10 years earlier than the age of youngest person in family diagnosed with colon cancer
colon cancer Screen
First degree relative was diagnosis with colon cancer at age 30
irst-degree relative diagnosed with an adenomatous polyp or colon cancer at age ≤60 year
Age 40 years, or 10 years younger than the earliest diagnosis in the family – every 5 years
Two second-degree relatives with adenomatous polyp Age 40 years or 10 years younger than the earliest diagnosis in the family – or colon cancer at any age every 5 years
Two first-degree relatives with colon cancer
Age 40 years, or 10 years younger than the earliest diagnosis in the family – every 3-5 years
H pylori
treatment for Hpylori
PPI and 2 antibiotics - amoxicillin and clarithyomicin X7 -14 days
PUD
Most common causes of PUD
H Pylori and NSAIDS
H pylori
25 year old male had duodenal ulcer with bleeding, treated with PPI and 10 day course of clarithromicin and amoxicillin. what is the test for cure?
Don’t use antibody test. will remain positive
Urea breath test or stool antigen 4 weeks post treatment
Diarrhea
Features of Hereditary Colon Cancers:
- HNPCC
- Gardener’s Syndrome
- Familial Polyposis
Early Screening is recommended for patients with familial syndromes. The following is a partial list of hereditary syndromes that commonly appear on tests:
Familial adenomatous polyposis
Autosomal Dominant
Polyposis disorder that requires prophylactic colectomy,
Duodenal and peri-ampullary cancers are the second leading cause of cancer deaths in this group.
Gardner syndrome, which is a type of familial adenomatous polyposis with extra-intestinal manifestations, including osteomas, duodenal ampullary tumors, thyroid cancers, and medulloblastomas
HNPCC (Lynch Syndrome)
Autosomal Dominant disorder
Hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) diagnostic criteria include
Greater or ≥3 relatives with colorectal cancer
One relative a first- degree relative of the other 2
≥2 successive generations affected
One cancer diagnosed before 50 years of age.
Lynch syndrome is diagnosed if a patient meets the criteria for HNPCC and also has an identified germline mutation in one of the four mismatch repair genes or the epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EPCAM). Lynch syndrome is also associated with an increased risk for extra-colonic tumors, most commonly endometrial. If an inherited colon cancer syndrome is suspected, the patient and family members should be referred for genetic testing.
colon cancer
Colon cancer screening
Screening recommendations and frequency of screening are based on consensus opinion.
Oncology

ColonCancerScreening
Risk Profile When to Initiate Colonoscopy Screening
Average risk
- Age 50 years – every 10 years to age 75 years (other screening modalities are available)
- First-degree relative diagnosed with colon cancer at Age 50 years – every 10 years to age 75 years (other screening modalities are age ≤60 years available)
- First-degree relative diagnosed with an adenomatous polyp or colon cancer at age ≤60 years –>Age 40 years, or 10 years younger than the earliest diagnosis in the family – every 5 years
- Two second-degree relatives with adenomatous polyp–> Age 40 years or 10 years younger than the earliest diagnosis in the family – or colon cancer at any age every 5 years
- Two first-degree relatives with colon cancer. Age 40 years, or 10 years younger than the earliest diagnosis in the family – every 3-5 years
- HNPCC risk
- Every 1-2 years starting at age 20 or 25 years, or 10 years earlier than the age of youngest person in family diagnosed with colon cancer
- Familial adenomatous polyposis risk
- Age 10-15 years (annual sigmoidoscopy)
- Pancolitis (ulcerative colitis or Crohn disease) 8-10 years after initial diagnosis – every 1-2 years
Pancreatitis
Ransons Criteria for Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis: Ranson criteria for pancreatitis: at admission“GA LAW” (GA is abbreviation for the U.S. state of Georgia):
Glucose >200
AST >250
LDH >350
Age >55 y.o.
WBC >16000
Pancreatitis: Ranson criteria for pancreatitis: initial 48 hours“C & HOBBS” (Calvin and Hobbes):
Calcium < 8
Hct drop > 10%
Oxygen < 60 mm
BUN > 5
Base deficit > 4
Sequestration of fluid > 6L
Diarrhea
32 year old 6 mo history of difficulty swallowing. feels as if something stuck in his throat. Endoscopy shows mulitple rings with white specks. no strictures. mucosa is friable. Biopsy shows inflamation and eosinophils in lamina propria. What is the diagnosis? what is the treatment?
eosinophilic esophagitis. Treat with topical (swallowed) steroids.
Seen in Young adults. extreme dysphagia with food impactions.
Diarrhea
- most likely diagnosis? chronic diarrhea, iron def anemia, vesicular rash on elbows and sacrum, weight loss.
- what test?
- what are they at risk for?
- what is the rash called?
- Celiac Disease
- anti-tissue transglutamase antibody or antigliadin
- or upper endoscopy with jejunal biopsy showing decreased villi/decreased finger projections
- increase osteoporosis, decrease vitamin D, small bowel lymphoma, decreased folate
- dermatitis hermatiformis
Dysphagia
Intermitant dysphagia to solids verses progressive dysphagia solids… Possible diagnoses, treatment
Solids only think mechanical
intermitant—–> Lower esophageal web
(Patient can’t swallow spit after eating steak) may use glucogon in ED to relax muscles and also call GI Consult)
Solids - Progressive think cancer (older, weight loss)
or peptic stricture
Dysphagia
Dysphagia to solids and liquids
Intermitant verses progress diagnoses
Progressive - Scleroderma or achalasia
Intermitant - Diffuse Esophageal Spasm, Nut cracker esophagus
Gastroparesis
67 year old presents with chronic nausea, vomiting, early satiety. diabetes and previous bariatric surgery. What is the likely diagnosis? Endoscopy showed retained food. What is the test to diagnosis?
Gastroparesis. perfered diagnositic test Gastric Emptying Scan preferred study. causes: diabetes, gastric surgery, amyloidosis, scleroderma.
Diarrhea
What is the treatment for gastroparesis?
small, frequent meals, prokenitic medicines - metocloprmide –>1-10% of irreversable tardive dyskenesia
Oral erythomycin - tachyphlylaxis
May need percutaenous jejunostomy for weight loss or repeated hospitalizations
