GP part 2 Flashcards
what is irritable bowel syndrome
it is recurrent abdominal pain or discomfort which is associated with a change in stool frequency or form
the pain or discomfort may be relieved by defecation
what are symptoms of IBS
intestinal discomfort - pain, bloating, worse after eating, improved by opening bowels
bowel habit abnormalities - fluctuating
stool abnormalities - diarrhoea, constipation, passing mucus
what can IBS symptoms often be triggered or worsened by
Anxiety
Depression
Stress
Sleep disturbance
Illness
Medications
Certain foods
Caffeine
Alcohol
what are risk factors for IBS
physical or sexual abuse
PTSD
age <50
female sex
previous enteric infection
family history
family and job stress
how do you diagnose IBS
thorough history and examination to exclude red flags or any other pathology
FBC - anaemia
inflammatory markers
coeliac serology
faecal calprotectin
CA125 for ovarian cancer
what are the NICE clinical guidelines for a diagnosis of IBS
differentials need to be excluded and the patient should have at least 6 months of abdominal pain or discomfort with at least one of:
- pain or discomfort relieved by opening the bowels
- bowel habit abnormalities
- stool abnormalities
for a diagnosis the patients also require at least two of:
- straining, an urgent need to open bowels or incomplete emptying
- bloating
- worse after eating
- passing mucus
what lifestyle advice is given to patients who are diagnosed with IBS
drink enough fluids
regular small meals
adjusting fibre intake according to symptoms
limit caffeine, alcohol and fatty foods
low FODMAP diet, guided by dietician
probiotic supplements may be considered over the counter
reduce stress where possible
regular exercise
how is IBS treated
- first line is lifestyle management
- medications depend on symptoms - loperamide for diarrhoea, bilk forming laxatives for constipation, antispasmodics for cramps (mebeverine, alverine, hyoscine butylbromide)
- Linaclotide is a specialist secretor drug for constipation in IBS when first line laxatives are inadequate
- where symptoms remain uncontrolled think about other options: SSRI, low dose tricyclic antidepressants, CBT and specialist referral
what is a soft tissue injury
this is damage to muscles tendons and ligaments which may lead to pain, swelling and restricted mobility
what are types of soft tissue injury
sprains: stretching or tearing of ligaments
strains: muscle or tendon damage often occurring to the hamstring
contusions: bruises resulting from blunt force trauma that squashes muscle fibres underneath the skin without breaking the skin barrier
tendinitis: irritation or inflammation in a tenon that occurs due to overuse
bursitis: inflammation and swelling in the bursae
what are symptoms of a sprain
swelling
bruising
pain
inflammation
limited range of motion
what are symptoms of a strain
pain
muscle spasms and weakness
swelling
inflammation
what are symptoms of a contusion
pain and skin discolouration
what are symptoms of tendinitis
swelling
pain that worsens during activity
what are symptoms of bursitis
pain
swelling
what are causes of soft tissue injury
trauma - sudden impact or forceful movements can lead to soft tissue injury which might occur due to a fall, slip or sharp change in direction
overuse - repetitive movements or excessive strain on a particular muscle or joint
overloading - sudden increase in exercise intensity
how is soft tissue injury diagnosed
clinical history and examination
Xray
MRI
how are soft tissue injuries treated
rest, ice, compression and elevation
medications - analgesia
physical therapy
bracing or splinting
torn muscles, tendons, or ligaments may need surgery depending on how much of the tendon has torn and how severe it is
what is the classification of sprains
graded on severity
Grade 1: slight stretching and some damage to the fibres of the ligament
grade 2: partial tearing of the ligament. there is abnormal looseness in the joint when it is moved in certain ways
grade 3: complete tear of the ligament. may cause significant instability
what is lyme disease
it is an infection transmitted to humans following a bite from an infected tick
what causes lyme disease
a group of bacteria - Borrelia burgdoferis which is a spiral shaped bacteria
what are risk factors for Lyme disease
occupational and recreational exposure to woodland and fields
increased duration of tick attachment (over 36-48 hours)
what are complications of Lyme disease
severe neurological symptoms - chronic meningitis, encephalomyelitis, radiculopathies, peripheral neuropathy
facial palsy
lyme arthritis
persisting non specific symptoms such as fatigue, aches and pains, cognitive difficulties
How is Lyme disease diagnosed
clinical diagnosis of lyme disease in people with erythema migrans:
- spreading erythema with well defined edges
- round or oval shape
- red/purple in colour
- bulls eye appearance
in those without erythema migrans clinical presentation and laboratory testing will guide diagnosis
how will Lyme disease present
bulls eye rash
cognitive impairment ]fatigue
fever and sweats
headache
malaise
migratory joint or muscle aches and pain
neck pain or stiffness
paraesthesia
swollen glands
uveitis
facial palsy or other nerve palsies
unexplained radiculopathy
when does erythema migrans appear after being bitten by an infected tick
1-2 weeks post exposure typically and lasts several weeks untreated
what is the treatment for lyme disease
adults and children aged 12 and over:
- doxycycline 100mg twice daily for 21 days
- amoxicillin 100g three times daily for 21 days if doxycycline isnt suitable
- azithromycin 3rd line
in younger children still use doxycycline but it in dependent on body weight
what is a Jarisch - herxheimer reaction
it is a reaction that can present in 15% of people in the first 24 hours of treatment with any antibiotic for lyme disease. symptoms include fever, chills, muscle pains and headache
what is obesity defined as
it is a metabolic disease defined as an excessive accumulation of body fat that poses a risk to an individuals health
what are risk factors for developing obesity
poor diet and lack of physical activity
underlying medical conditions - cushings, PCOS, hypothyroidism, GH deficiency
medications - antidepressants and corticosteroids
socio-economic status
mental health - depression, eating disorders
genetics - Prader Willi syndrome, Bardet Bieldl syndrome
what are clinical features of obesity
excess body fat
weight above average for individuals height
breathlessness
sleep apnoea
skin issues
osteoarthritis
hypertension
diabetes
hyperlipidaemia
what examinations should be done in practice in someone with obesity
measure BMI - weight divided by height squared
central obesity by measuring waist to height ratio or waist circumference
what investigations should be done in a patient that is overweight
fasting blood glucose - obesity
lipid profile - hyperlipidaemia
LFT - non alcoholic fatty liver disease
TSH - hypothyroidism
U+E - chronic kidney disease
dexamethasone suppression test for cushings
ultrasound for PCOS
what is non surgical management for obesity
weight loss: target of 5 - 10% reduction
lifestyle changes: healthy eating, alcohol recommendations, smoking cessation, therapy
medications
what medications are offered to patients who are obese
Orlistat and liraglutide are the only medications approved by NICE for weight loss in the UK
- Orlistat prevents absorption of dietary fat
- Liraglutide is a GLP-1 analogue and delays gastric emptying and induces early satiety
what are side effects of liraglutide
nausea and vomiting
diarrhoea
pancreatitis
thyroid cancer
what surgical measures are there for people who are obese
weight loss surgery in those who are severely obese (BMI > 40 or between 35-40 with co-morbidities)
Bariatric surgery - Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass
what is dumping syndrome
a group of symptoms caused by food rapidly emptying or being ‘dumped’ from the stomach into the small intestines. this results in undigested food within the small intestine that the body finds difficult to absorb
symptoms include sweating, bloating, abdominal cramps, diarrhoea, nausea
what are complications of obesity
cardiovascular disease
dyslipidaema
diabetes
stroke
obstructive sleep apneoa
cancer
pancreatitis
abnormal periods and infertility
arthritis
inflamed veins
gout
gallstones
liver disease
lung disease
what is otitis externa
it is inflammation of the external ear canal and can be either acute (less than 3 weeks) or chronic (more than three weeks)
what are infectious causes of otitis externa
bacterial - pseudomonal aeruginosa or staphylococcus aureus
fungal - candida albicans and aspergillus niger
what are non infectious causes of otitis externa
atopic dermatitis
psoriasis
acne
what are risk factors for developing otitis externa
hot and humid climates
swimming
older age
dermatological issues
narrow ear canals (downs syndrome)
previous ear surgery
previous radiotherapy to the head and neck
any history of immunosuppression including diabetes
previous topical treatments for otitis externa or otitis media
how does otitis externa present
ear pain
discharge
itch
hearing loss
fever
what is seen on examination in someone with otitis externa
skin changes or tenderness at the tragus or pinna
erythema, oedema and narrowing of the ear canal which may progress to complete occlusion
serous or purulent discharge
inflammation of the tympanic membrane which may be hard to visualise
regional lymphadenopathy in pre/post auricular nodes
conductive hearing loss secondary to obstruction
how is otitis externa diagnosed
clinical findings - history and exam
swabs for microbiology
what is general advice given to someone with otitis externa
strict water precautions to keep the ear dry
avoid itching or using cotton buds which further traumatise the ear canal
what is the medical management of otitis externa
topical antibiotic ear drops - antibiotic + steroid
treatment is administered for a minimum of 7 days
avoid aminoglycosides in patients with perforated tympanic membrane
analgesia prescribed based off severity of pain
ENT can do microsuction to remove infected debris from canal and insert an otowick
what are complications of otitis externa
necrotising otitis externa - infection spreads beyond the soft tissue of the ear canal resulting in osteomyelitis
pinna or peri-auricular cellulitis
what are risk factors for developing complications with otitis externa
diabetes mellitis
age over 65
recurrent otitis externa
immunosuppression
radiotherapy to head or neck
what is otitis media
it is the name given to an infection in the middle ear - space that sits between the tympanic membrane and the inner ear
what is the cause of otitis media
bacterial infection which enters from the back of the throat through the eustachian tube
what bacteria cause otitis media
streptococcus pneumoniae - most common
haemophilus influenzae
morazella catarrhalis
staphylococcus aureus
how does otitis media present
ear pain
reduced hearing in the affected ear
general symptoms of upper airway infection: fever, cough, coryzal symptoms, sore throat, general malaise
balance issues and vertigo
if tympanic membrane is perforated there can be discharge
what is seen on examination in otitis media
bulging, inflamed red tympanic membrane
if there is perforation you may see discharge in the ear canal and a hole in the tympanic membrane
what is the management of otitis media
refer for specialist assessment and admission in infants younger than 3 months with a temp above 38, or 3-6 months with a temp higher than 39
most cases resolve without antibiotics - normally within 3 days but can last a week
give simple analgesia to help with pain and fever
what are the options for prescribing antibiotics in otitis media
- immediate antibiotics - initial presentation with significant co-morbidities, systemically unwell or immunocompromised
- delayed antibiotics - collected and used after 3 days if the symptoms havent improved or have gotten worse
first line choice of antibiotic is amoxicillin 5 days - no antibiotics
what are complications of otitis media
Otitis medial with effusion
Hearing loss (usually temporary)
Perforated eardrum
Recurrent infection
Mastoiditis (rare)
Abscess (rare)
what is fibromyalgia
it is a chronic health condition that causes pain and tenderness throughout the body which occurs in flares. It causes musculoskeletal pain and fatigue
who is more likely to be diagnosed with fibromyalgia
people assigned female at birth
people older than 40
what are symptoms of fibromyalgia
muscle pain or tenderness
fatigue
face and jaw pain - temporomandibular joint disorders
headaches and migraines
digestive issues including diarrhoea and constipation
bladder control issues
memory issues
anxiety
depression
insomnia and other sleep disorders
what are risk factors for fibromyalgia
age - over 40
sex - more common in women
living with other chronic illnesses
infections
stress
trauma
what can trigger a fibromyalgia flare up
emotional stress - job, finance, social life
changes in daily routing
changes in diet or nutrition
hormonal changes
not getting enough sleep or change in sleep
weather or temperature changes
illness
starting new medication or treatments
how is fibromyalgia diagnosed
history and examination
diagnosis of exclusion - may do bloods and other tests to rule out other causes of fatigue
how is fibromyalgia treated
over the counter or prescription pain medication
exercises like stretches or strength training
sleep therapy
cognitive behavioural therapy
stress management
antidepressants
what are the four stages of treating fibromyalgia
non pharmacological treatments - exercise and strength training
psychological treatments
pharmacological treatments
daily functioning - occupational therapist
what is osteoarthritis
it is progressive degenerative joint disorder, referred to as a dysfunctional wear and repair process within a joint
what are the most common joints affected by osteoarthritis
knees
hips
hands
what is the pathophysiology of osteoarthritis
chondrocytes are responsible for maintaining the homeostasis between synthesis and degradation of the extracellular matrix within articular cartilage. Over time, continuous wear or trauma to the joint causes local inflammation and stimulation of chondrocytes to release degradative enzymes. these enzymes break down collagen and proteoglycan and ultimately destroy the articular cartilage
what are risk factors for developing osteoarthritis
increasing age
female sex
obesity
less commonly articular congenital deformities or trauma to the joint
what are symptoms of osteoarthritis
joint pain
stiffness: typically worse after activity and at the end of the day
limitation in day to day activities
in some cases patients will experience referred pain
what would you find on examination in someone with osteoarthritis
reduced active and passive range of movement secondary to pain
tenderness of the the joint lines
crepitus on movement
how does osteoarthritis of the hand present
sparing of the metacarpophalangeal joints
bony enlargements of the proximal interphalangeal joints known as bouchards nodes
bony enlargement of the distal interphalangeal joints known as heberdens nodes
squaring of the first carpometacarpal joint (base of the thumb)
reduced functional movement
what investigations should be done for someone with osteoarthritis
bodyweight and BMI
labs - serum CRP/ESR
imaging - Xray
what are the Xray changes seen in osteoarthritis
loss of joint space
osteophytes
subchondral sclerosis
subchondral cysts
When does NICE advise that osteoarthritis be diagnosed clinically
if a person meets the criteria:
over 45 and
has activity related joint pain and
has either no morning joint related stiffness or morning stiffness that lasts no longer than 30 minutes
what is the conservative management for osteoarthritis
education and advice about the condition
exercise: muscle strengthening and general aerobic fitness
weight loss (if overweight or obese)
what is the medical management of osteoarthritis
First line: topical NSAIDS
second line: paracetamol and topical analgesia
third line: NSAID, paracetamol and topical capsaicin
fourth line: opioid, NSAID, paracetamol and topical capsaicin
intra-articular corticosteroid injection can be offered for acute exacerbation of pain despite regular use of analgesia
what is the surgical management of osteoarthritis
joint replacement - arthroplasty
fusion of the joint - arthrodesis
what is peripheral arterial disease
this refers to the narrowing of the arteries supplying the limbs and the periphery, reducing the blood supply to these areas. It usually refers to the lower limbs, resulting in symptoms of claudication
what is intermittent claudication
it is a symptoms of ischaemia in a limb, occurring during exertion and relieved by rest. It is typically a crampy, achy pain in the calf, thigh or buttock muscles associated with muscle fatigue when walking beyond a certain intensity
what is critical limb ischaemia
it is end stage peripheral arterial disease, where there is an inadequate supply of blood to a limb to allow it to function normally at rest. there is a significant risk of losing the limb
what are the features of critical limb ischaemia
pain at rest
non healing ulcers gangrene
pain is worse at night when the leg is raised as gravity no longer helps to pull blood into the foot
what is acute limb ischaemia
it refers to a rapid onset of ischaemia in a limb, typically it is due to thrombosis blocking the arterial supply of a distal limb, similar to a thrombus blocking a coronary artery in myocardia infarction
what do atheromatous plaques lead to in vessels
stiffening of artery walls leading to hypertension and strain on the heart
stenosis leading to reduced blood flow
plaque rupture resulting in a thrombus
what are non modifiable risk factors for atherosclerosis
older age
family history
male
what are modifiable risk factors for atherosclerosis
smoking
alcohol consumption
poor diet
low exercise/sedentary lifestyle
obesity
poor sleep
stress
what are medical co-morbidities which can increase the risk of atherosclerosis
diabetes
hypertension
chronic kidney disease
inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis
atypical antipsychotic medications
what are the features of acute limb ischaemia
pain
pallor
pulseless
paralysis
paraesthasia
perishingly cold
what is Leriche syndrome
it occurs with occlusion of the distal aorta or proximal common iliac artery. There is a clinical triad of:
thigh/buttock claudication
absent femoral pulses
male impotence
what peripheral pulses may be weaker in someone with peripheral arterial disease
radial
brachial
carotid
abdominal aorta
femoral
popliteal
posterior tibial
dorsalis pedis
what are signs of arterial disease on inspection
skin pallor
cyanosis
dependent rubor (deep red colour when limb is lower than the rest of the body)
muscle wasting
hair loss
ulcers
poor wound healing
gangrene
when examining someone with peripheral arterial disease what may you see
reduced skin temperature
reduced sensation
prolonged capillary refill time (>2 seconds)
changes during buergers test
what are arterial ulcers typically caused by
ischaemia secondary to an inadequate blood supply
what are the features of an arterial ulcer
smaller than venous
deeper than venous
well defined borders
punched out appearance
occur peripherally
have reduced bleeding
are painful
what are venous ulcers typically caused by
impaired drainage and pooling of blood in the legs
what are the features of venous ulcers
occur after a minor leg injury
are larger than arterial ulcers
more superficial than arterial ulcers
irregular, gently sloping borders
affect the gaiter area of the leg (mid-calf down)
less painful than arterial ulcers
occur with other signs of chronic venous insufficiency
what investigations should be done on someone with peripheral arterial disease
ankle-brachial pressure index
duplex ultrasound
angiography
what is the conservative management for someone with peripheral arterial disease
lifestyle changes - manage modifiable risk factors
exercise training
what medical treatments are there for peripheral arterial disease
atorvastatin 80mg
clopidogrel 75mg once daily
naftidrofuryl oxalate (5-HT receptor antagonist that acts as a peripheral vasodilator)
what surgical options are there for peripheral arterial disease
endovascular angioplasty and stenting
endarterectomy - cutting vessel open and removing the atheromatous plaque
bypass surgery
what is the management of critical limb ischaemia
urgent referral to the vascular team
- endovascular angioplasty and stenting
- endarterectomy
- bypass surgery
- amputation
what are risk factors or chronic venous insufficiency
age
immobility
obesity
prolonged standing
deep vein thrombosis
what is chronic venous insufficiency
this occurs when blood does not efficiently drain from the legs back to the heart. Usually this is a result of damage from the valves inside the legs
what are symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency
skin changes - haemosiderin staining
venous eczema due to chronic inflammatory response in the skin
lipodermatosclerosis
atrophie blanche - porcelain white scar tissue on skin
cellulitis
poor healing after injury
skin ulcers
pain
what is the management for chronic venous insufficiency
- keeping the skin healthy - monitor skin health, regular use of emollients, topical steroids to avoid flares of venous eczema, very potent topical steroids to treat flares of lipodermatosclerosis
- improving venous drainage - wt loss, keeping legs elevated and compression stockings
- management of complications- antibiotics, analgesia and wound care
what is polymyalgia rheumatica
it is an inflammatory condition that causes pain and stiffness in the shoulders, pelvic girdle and neck
there is often a strong association with giant cell arteritis
how does polymyalgia rheumatica present
may have relatively rapid onset of symptoms from days to weeks
pain and stiffness of the shoulders, pelvic girdle and the neck
worse in the morning
worse after rest or inactivity
interferes with sleep
can take at least 45 minutes to ease in the morning
somewhat improves with activity
can have systemic symptoms - wt loss, fever, fatigue
muscle tenderness
carpel tunnel syndrome
peripheral oedema
what are differential diagnosis for polymyalgia rheumatica
Osteoarthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Statin-induced myopathy
Myositis (e.g., polymyositis)
Cervical spondylosis
Adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder)
Hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism
Osteomalacia
Fibromyalgia
Lymphoma or leukaemia
Myeloma
how is polymyalgia rheumatica diagnosed
based on clinical presentation, its response to steroids and excluding differentials
labs - FBC, U+E, LFT, calcium, serum protein electrophoresis (myeloma), TSH, creatinine kinase (myositis), rheumatoid factor, urine dip
also consider:
antinuclear antibodies for SLE
anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) for RA
urine bence jones for myeloma
chest X ray
how is polymyalgia rheumatica treated
steroids:
15mg prednisolone daily initially and then follow up after 1 week (patients with PR should have a dramatic improvement in a week)
treatment with steroids usually lasts for 1-2 years and then follow the reducing regime of prednisolone
what is the reducing regime of prednisolone that NICE suggests following
15mg until symptoms are fully controlled then
12.5mg for 3 weeks then
10mg for 4-6 weeks then
reducing by 1mg every 4-8 weeks
what are the additional managements for patients on long term steroids
Dont STOP
Dont - steroid dependence occurs after three weeks of treatment, and abruptly stopping risks adrenal crisis
S- sick rules, steroids doses need to be increased if the patient becomes unwell
T- treatment card, patients should carry a card which tells others they are steroid dependent
O- Osteoporosis prevention may be required with bisphosphonates and calcium and vit D
P- proton pump inhibitors are considered for gastro protection
what is the blood supply of the prostate gland
the inferior vesical (primary), middle rectal and internal pudendal arteries
what is the nervous innervation of the prostate gland
sympathetic = hypogastric nerve
parasympathetic = pelvic nerve
what are risk factors for the development of prostate cancer
age over 50
black ethnicity
family history of prostate cancer
family history of other heritable cancers such as breast or colorectal
high levels of dietary fat
where does prostate cancer spread to
lymph nodes and bones
what are symptoms of prostate cancer
Lower urinary tract symptoms - frequency, urgency, nocturia, hesitancy, dysuria, post void dribbling
haematuria
haematospermia
systemic symptoms - weight loss, weakness, fatigue
bone pain
what might you find on clinical examination with prostate cancer
on a DRE - asymmetrical prostate, nodular prostate, indurated prostate
what investigations should be done in someone with suspected prostate cancer
Serum prostate specific antigen
U+E
FBC
testosterone levels
LFTs
MRI and biopsy
DEXA, CT and PMSA PET to look for metastasis
what grading system is used to grade prostate cancer
the gleason grading system
the TNM staging is also used for prostate cancer to help stage the cancer
how is the gleason score calculated
by adding the two most prevalent differentiation patterns together
what does a gleason score of under 6 mean
its a stage 1 tumour
low grade, sometimes clinically insignificant
what does a gleason score of 7 mean
7 (3+4) is stage 2, intermediate grade
7 (4+3) is stage three, intermediate grade tumour but less favourable outcome than 3+4
what does a gleason score of 8 mean
stage 4, high grade tumour
what does a gleason score of 9-10 mean
stage 5, highest grade tumour
what is used as the first line investigation for suspected localised prostate cancer
multiparametric MRI
how are the results of a multiparametric MRI used to report on prostate cancer
reported on a Likert scale and scored as:
1 – very low suspicion
2 – low suspicion
3 – equivocal
4 – probable cancer
5 – definite cancer
what are the options for getting a prostate biopsy
transrectal ultrasound guided biopsy
transperineal biopsy
what are common causes of a raised PSA
Prostate cancer
Benign prostatic hyperplasia
Prostatitis
Urinary tract infections
Vigorous exercise (notably cycling)
Recent ejaculation or prostate stimulation
how is ow risk prostate cancer managed
PSA <10, gleason score <6, T1-2a
- watchful waiting with regular DRE and PSA tests, if anything significantly changes then palliative care may be initiated
- active surveillance with regular DRE, PSA and often biopsies annually, if anything changes then active treatment may be initiated
how is intermediate risk prostate cancer managed
PSA 10-20, OR gleason score 7/T2B stage
- Active surveillance
- surgery: removal of the prostate
- radiotherapy: external beam radiotherapy, or brachytherapy
what is the treatment for high risk prostate cancer
PSA >20 OR gleason score 8-10/T2c or above
- active surveillance
- surgery: radical prostatectomy
- radiotherapy: external beam radiotherapy
- Hormone therapy: GnRH therapy, androgen receptor blockers, androgen blockers targeting the adrenal glands, bilateral orchiectomy, oestrogen therapy
what are side effects of hormone therapy for prostate cancer
hot flushes
decreased bone density
fractures
low libido
erectile dysfunction
altered lipids - gnaecomastia
fatigue
what is psoriasis
it is a chronic autoimmune condition that causes recurrent symptoms of psoriatic skin lesions
what are patches of psoriasis
they are dry, flaky, scaly, faintly erythematous skin lesions that appear in raised and rough plaques, commonly over the extensor surfaces of the elbows, knees and scalp