GP Flashcards
(407 cards)
what is the pathophys of acne vulgaris 3
formation of acne lesions due to three contributing factors:
1. follicular hyperkeratinization: formation of keratinous plug due to an abnormal keratinization process= skin cells do not shed as normal leading to the proliferation of P. acnes
2. increased sebum production: sebum acts as a nutrient for P.acne and forms a favourable anaerobic environment
3. Propionibacterium acnes colonization: this bacteria contributes to inflammation by releasing pro inflammatory mediators eg chemokines, cytokines and reactive oxygen species
Where does acne act? 1
on pilosebaceous unit
What are the different types of acne lesions seen in acne vulgaris pts 4
comedones= dilated sebaceous follicle (whitehead is closed and blackhead is open)
inflammatory lesions= papules and pustules
due to excessive inflammatory response= nodules and cysts
scars: ice-pick scars and hypertrophic scars
How is acne vulgaris classified 3
mild: open and closed comedones with or without sparse inflammatory lesions
moderate acne: mild + numerous papules and pustules
severe acne: extensive inflammatory lesions, which may include and scarring
How is acne vulgaris treated?
Mild/ moderate:
12 week topical combination therapy: any 2 of the following in combination:
Topical benzoyl peroxide.
Topical antibiotics (clindamycin)
Topical retinoids (tretinoin/adapalene)
Mod/ severe:
12 week course of one of the following:
-> a fixed combination of topical adapalene with topical benzoyl peroxide + either oral lymecycline or oral doxycycline
-> a topical azelaic acid + either oral lymecycline or oral doxycycline
When can patients be referred with acne? 6
- Acne fulminans.
- Mild-moderate acne not responding to two 12 week courses of treatment as above.
- Moderate-severe acne not responding to one 12 week course of treatment as above, including an oral antibiotic.
- Psychological distress/mental health disorder contributed to by acne.
- Acne with persistent pigmentary changes.
- Acne with scarring.
What is a specific complication of long term abx use in acne, causes and what treatment can be given?
Gram-negative folliculitis (caused by e.coli/ kleb/ proteus/ pseudomonas)
high dose oral trimethoprim
What is acute bronchitis and timeline
inflammation of bronchi which is mainly virally caused (common cold eg rhino/ coronavirus)
resolves in 3 week but can have persistant cough
Presentation of acute bronchitis 3
- cough
- wheeze
- sore throat
inflammation in bronchi= increased mucus production= cough to clear it
How can acute bronchitis be differentiated from pneumonia 2
no focal chest signs apart from wheeze in acute bronchitis
systemic features are more indicative of pneumonia
What is the management of acute bronchitis 2
- supportive (fluids and analgesia at home)
- only consider abx (doxycyline) if systemic unwell, co-morbidities or CRP of over 100
-> cannot use doxycycline in children/ pregnant so use amoxicillin instead
What is acute stress reaction and features 4
occurs in first 4 weeks after a traumatic event
features: sleep disturbance, hypervigilance, flashbacks, dissociation
(imagine a person sleeping then suddenly waking with hypervigilance, looking around the rooms- they dissociate whilst looking at the drawers in the room and get flashbacks looking at the floor)
What is the mangement for acute stress reaction 3
1st line: CBT
2. benzodiazipines: ONLY for acute anxiety, not recommended by WHO
3. encourage sleep hygeine and relaxation techniques
What is an anal fissure, 3 causes and classification
a tear in the mucosal lining of the distal anal canal
main cause= trauma from defecation of hard stool (constipation and dehydration), alternatively IBD or rectal cancer
acute= present for less than 6 weeks
chronic= present for over 6 weeks
What are the features of anal fissures 3
- intense pain post defecation, which is out of proportion to the size of the fissure
- bright red rectal bleeds
- itching typically post defecation
How are anal fissures investigated and diagnosed
In the likely event of a DRE being declined due to pain, an EUA and proctoscopy can be done to identify the fissure
EUA= examination under anaesthesia
how to differentiate between anal fissures and haemorrhoids 2
fissures are more more painful during bowel movements and bleed more than haemorrhoids
What is the management of acute and chronic anal fissures (5,3)
acute:
1. high fibre diet and high fluid intake
2. bulk forming laxatives (isphagula husk)
3. lubricants eg petroleum jelly before defecation
4. using simple analgesia eg paracetomol
5. topical anaesthetic eg lidocaine gel/ ointment
chronic:
1. topical GTN
2. diltiazem cream (CCB), second line to GTN
3. botox injections into internal anal sphincter (to encourage relaxation and healing
3. referral for lateral sphincterotomy (division of the internal anal sphincter muscle to release tension in anal sphincter muscle)
GTN + CCB relaxes internal anal sphincter= reduced anal pressure= increases blood circulation= allows for for healing and reduced pain
What is the pathophys of bacterial vaginosis, is it an STI?
overgrowth of anaerobic organisms eg gardnerella vaginalis (normally found in the flora), leading to the increase of vaginal pH
not an STI, but seen mostly in sexually active women
What is the diagnosis criteria of bacterial vaginosis and what is this criteria called
Amsel’s criteria for diagnosis of BV - 3 of the following 4 points should be present
-> thin, white homogenous discharge
-> clue cells on microscopy: stippled vaginal epithelial cells (from high vaginal swab)
-> vaginal pH > 4.5 (swab on pH paper)
-> positive whiff test (addition of potassium hydroxide results in fishy odour)
What is the management for bacterial vaginosis 2
- asymptomatic= no tx required
- symptomatic= oral metronidazole for 5-7 days
What are the main risk factors of benign prostatic hyperplasia 2
- age: around 80% of 80-year-old men have evidence of BPH
- ethnicity: black > white > Asian
What is the presentation of BPH 8
LUTS symptoms:
issues with both storage and voiding (voiding is more common)
storage: frequency, urgency, nocturne, incontinence
voiding: poor stream, hesitancy, incomplete emptying, dribbling
What are the Ix for BPH 5
- DRE (rectal exam)- smooth enlarged- prostatic cancer is hard and irregular
- PSA (for ruling out prostate cancer but can be raised in both)
- urine dipstick
- international prostate symptom score (IPSS) to assess impact of LUTSon QOL-
Score 20-35: severely symptomatic
Score 8-19: moderately symptomatic
Score 0-7: mildly symptomatic - transrectal ultrasound to determine size (can determine tx options)