GI Flashcards
What is a Mallory Weiss tear and how is it caused?
alcoholic binging»_space; retching and vomiting»_space; tear in OG junction»_space; heavy bleeding»_space; haematemesis
Where does a Mallory Weiss tear occur?
Oesophageal lining at the oesophageal-gastric junction
How is an acute upper GI bleed (UGIB) assessed?
Rockall Score used to assess mortality of acute UGIB
What is dyspepsia?
Non specific upper GI abdominal symptoms including discomfort, reflux, indigestion, heartburn, acid taste, N&V and those in the ROME 3 Criteria
What are the causes of dyspepsia?
Excess acid production Malignancy GORD PUD Drugs
How is dyspepsia classified?
ROME 3 Criteria:
- post prandial fullness (following meal)
- early satiety (unusual fullness after little food)
- epigastric pain/burning
What do alarm features (red flags) in dyspepsia mean? and name 5 red flag symptoms…
Malignancy
- Iron deficiency anaemia
- unintentional weight loss
- persistent vomiting
- epigastric mass
- chronic GI bleed
- Over 55 years with unexplained and persistent dyspepsia
What investigations should be done in dysphagia and when?
- epigastric pain + alarm symptoms OR >55yrs = gastroscopy and CLO test (confirms H-pylori)
- epigastric pain + NO alarm symptoms AN <55yrs = lifestyle advice / PPI (1 month) / test and treat
- if predominantly heart burn treat as GORD
- if fun/non-ulcer dyspepsia = lifestyle and diet review, TCA or SSRI
What are the causes of peptic ulcer disease?
H-pylori
NSAIDs or Aspirin
Co-administration of corticosteroids and NSAID’s
How does peptic ulcer disease present?
- burning epigastric pain
- pain relieved by antacids
- pain when hungry and at night
- nausea
- heartburn
- flatulence
Epigastric pain worse when hungry and at night signifies what condition?
Peptic ulcer disease
What is the pre-endoscopic and post-endoscopic management of peptic ulcer disease?
Pre-endoscopic:
- Glasgow-Blatchford score = can patient be safely discharged?
Post-endoscopic:
- Rockall’s score and Forrest Classification
What does Rockall’s Score measure?
Risk of mortality after an acute upper GI bleed
What does the Glasgow-Blatchford score measure?
which patients with an UGIB are safe for discharge
What does the Forrest Classification measure?
classifies patients on endoscopic findings into high risk and low risk for intervention
If after endoscopy patients are high risk for intervention what treatment is given?
H-pylori test and eradication- IV PPI infusion for 72 hours
If after endoscopy patients are low risk for intervention what treatment is given?
H-pylori test and eradication- Oral PPI + discharge
How is PUD treated if H-pylori positive?
Triple therapy = 1 PPI and 2 antibiotics for 7 days
- omeprazole + metronidazole + clarithromycin (BD)
OR omperazole + amoxicillin + clarithromycin
When would amoxicillin be used instead of metronidazole and vice versa for PUD if H-pyrlori +ve?
If a patient has been treated with metronidazole for other infections amoxicillin and clarithromycin is preferred.
If a patient has been treated with a macrolide for other infections amoxicillin and metronidazole is preferred.
When should ulcers be re-scoped?
Within 6-12 weeks to look for malignancy or non-healing
How is PUD treated if H-pylori negative?
Use PPI and H2 receptor antagonist
- omeprazole/lansoprazole + ranitidine
What time of day should a PPI and H2RA be given?
PPI = before meals (BD) H2RA = before bed
What are the complications associated with PUD?
- peritonitis- PU can erode through muscular layer»_space; leak contents into peritoneum
- pancreatitis- can erode back wall of duodenum»_space; erode into pancreas
How do you test for H-pylori?
CLO test
- campylobacter-like organism test
H-pylori releases urease enzymes that convert urea into ammonia and CO2
Biopsy taken from antrum of stomach and cultures on medium with urea and phenol red.
Colour change = yellow (-ve) to red (+ve) due to increase pH
Who is most at risk of developing GI complications with an NSAID?
- > 65 years old
- history of PUD / severe GI complication
- those taking NSAID’s or aspirin
- those with severe co-morbidities (CV disease, DM or hepatic or renal impairment)
If PUD is due to NSAID use what is the first think you should do during treatment?
Withdraw the NSAID!!!!
When testing for H-pylori how does the CLO test change if patient is on a PPI?
Biopsy should be taken from fungus and body (PPIs cause H-pylori to move more proximally in stomach)
What can reduce the accuracy of H-pylori test?
An active GI bleed
Why do NSAIDs cause PUD?
inhibit cox enzyme and prevent prostaglandin production. Leaves gastric mucosa susceptible to damage as mucus and bicarb are not secreted
Where do gastric ulcers usually form?
lesser curvature of stomach
What is Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and what GI disease can it cause?
A gastronoma (tumour) in duodenal wall which secretes increased amounts of gastrin. Can cause PUD.
In duodenal ulcers what are you likely to see in the mucosa under the microscope?
- Brunner gland hypertrophy (increase in size in attempt to produce more mucus to protect the damaged area)
How does epigastric pain differ between gastric and duodenal ulcers?
Gastric ulcers = increased pain whilst eating (often leads to weight loss)
Duodenal ulcers = decreased pain whist eating (often leads to weight gain)
What substances can worsen peptic ulcers?
NSAIDs Alcohol Tobacco Caffeine Therefore stop using these ASAP if suspect PUD
What is the blood supply to the liver?
Portal vein = 75% of hepatic vascular inflow
Hepatic artery = 25%
How is the portal vein formed?
Union of SMA and splenic vein
What is normal portal pressure?
5-8mmHg
What is the pathophysiology of oesophageal varices?
cirrhosis of liver»_space; scar tissue»_space; impedes blood flow»_space; blood shunted into portosystemic collaterals»_space; veins dilate»_space; veins weak and rupture due to increased pressure
What is the main complication of oesophageal varices?
massive haemorrhage
How do oesophageal varices present?
splenomegaly and clinical signs of chronic liver disease
- GI bleeding»_space; haematemesis/melena and abdopain
- ascites
- dysphagia
What are the investigations for oesophageal varices?
URGENT gastroscopy (rules out bleed from other sites)
What is the management for oesophageal varices?
Pre endoscopy- IV Terlipressin (restricts portal inflow by constricting splanchnic arteries)
Endoscopic therpay = band ligation or sclerotherapy
TIPS- forms shunt between portal and hepatic veins to decrease portal P.
Oral propanolol- to prevent recurrent bleeding or primary prophylaxis for varices that have never bled
What is the main cause of oesophageal varices?
Cirrhosis which causes portal hypertension
What does TIPS stand for?
Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunting
What is the mechanism of action of propranolol in oesophageal varices?
lowers resting pulse by 25% to lower portal pressure
What is sclerotherapy and when is it used?
Used in gastro-oesophageal varices.
Injection of a sclerosis agent»_space; collapse of vessel
e.g. ethanolamine
Define gastritis
inflammation of the stomach lining
Define gastropathy
injury to the mucosa of the stomach (associated with cell damage and regeneration)
What are the causes of gastritis?
Mainly H-pylori
What are the causes of gastropathy?
NSAIDS or aspirin, Crohns, sarcoidosis, CMV, HSV
What is the pathophysiology of gastritis?
Stomach usually protected by a layer or mucin but this will break down if…
- mucosal ischaemia
- increased acid production (H-pylori, stress, aspirin)
- bile reflux due to increase alcohol conc
What are the symptoms of gastritis?
Usually asymptomatic
What are the symptoms of gastropathy?
Indigestion, vomiting, haemorrhage
What is the treatment of gastropathy?
PPI
What are the complications associated with an anterior and posterior gastroduodenal ulcer?
Anterior = perforates»_space; peritonitis
Posterior»_space; pancreas»_space; pancreatitis
Define GORD
chronic condition of mucosal damage where there is reflux of gastric contents (gastric acid) into the oesophagus
What is the incidence of GORD?
Affects ~30% of the population
What is the pathophysiology of GORD?
Several mechanisms by which GORD can occur:
- LOS tone reduced»_space; increased mucosal sensitivity to gastric acid & reduced oesophageal acid clearance
- delayed gastric emptying
- delayed gastric/oesophageal clearance (gastritis)
- hiatus hernia»_space; mechanical aberration
What are the causes of GORD?
- hiatus hernia
- foods e.g. fat, caffeine, chocolate (relaxes LOS)
- obesity and pregnancy (increase intra-abdominal P.)
- smoking
- systemic sclerosis
- certain drugs (nitrates and tricyclics)
What are the clinical features of GORD?
- GORD induced dyspepsia
- regurgitation
- odynophagia (painful swallowing of solids > liquids)
- chronic cough
- dysphagia
- nocturnal asthma
- waterbrash (salivation due to presence of acid in oesophagus)