GI: Gastric ulceration and H. Pylori Flashcards
Differential of dyspepsia
- Oesophagus
- GORD
- Oesophagitis
- Stomach/duodenum
- Peptic ulcer
- Gastritis
- Duodenitis
- Gastric cancer
- Hiatus hernia
- Gall bladder
- Gallstones
- Non ulcer dyspepsia
What are risk factors for the development of gastric ulcers?
- H. Pylori
- NSAID use
- Smoking
- Reflux of duodenal contents
- Delayed gastric emptying
- Stress
What is a peptic ulcer?
Break in the lining of the GI tract, extending through to the muscular layer.
Includes: Gastric ulcer, Duodenal ulcer, NSAID ulcer
What is the difference between an ulcer and an erosion?
A break in the mucosal lining of the stomach or duodenum more than 5 mm in diameter, with depth to the submucosa. Ulcers smaller than this or without obvious depth are called erosions.
How do peptic ulcers occur?
Result from an imbalance between factors promoting mucosal damage (gastric acid, pepsin, Helicobacter pylori infection, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use) and those mechanisms promoting gastroduodenal defense (prostaglandins, mucus, bicarbonate, mucosal blood flow).
What type of bacteria is H. Pylori?
Slow-growing spiral gram-negative bacteria
Where is h. pylori most commonly found?
Gastric antrum
How is H. Pylori protected from gastric acid?
By juxtamucosal mucous layer which traps bicarbonate secreted by antral cells, and ammonia produced by bacterial urease.
(The H. Pylori itself decreases somatostatin levels leading to excessive acid production)
What enzyme does H. pylori possess which enables it to convert area to ammonium and chloride?
Urease
What results from infection with H. Pylori?
- Antral gastritis
- Peptic ulceration (duodenal and gastric)
- Gastric cancer
Investigations for H. Pylori
Non invasive
- Urea breath test
- Stool antigen test
- Blood test - serum antibody detection
Invasive
- OGD and biopsy
- Rapid urease test
What are features of gastric ulcers?
Can be asymptomatic, but can have:
- Recurrent, burning epigastric pain - relieved by antacids, pain occurs soon after eating
- Nausea
- Weight loss
- Symptoms of anaemia
What are features of duodenal ulcers?
Can be asymptomatic, or:
- Burning epigastric pain - relieved by antacids, pain ocurs several hours after eating or when hungry and classically at night (can be reversed by eating)
- Weight loss
- Signs of anaemia
- Epigastric tenderness
Occur most commonly on the lesser vurvature of the proximal stomach or first part of the duodenum
What are risk factors for the development of duodenal ulcers?
- H. pylori (95% with DU and 70% GU)
- Drugs - NSAID’s, Steroids, SSRI’s
- Increased gastric acid secretion
- Increased gastric emptying
- Smoking
Why does chronic antral gastritis cause increased gastric acid secretion?
Causes hypergastrinaemia due to gastrin release from antral G cells