IBD Flashcards
What are the main differences between UC and Crohn’s disease?
LOCATION:
- UC= starts at ileocaecal junction + extends continously through large bowel i.e. distal colon to rectum
- Crohns= “mouth to anus” i.e. can affect any part of GI tract
LESIONS:
- UC= uniform, diffuse and superficial i.e. mucosa and submucosa
- Crohns= transmural segmental, deep lesions i.e. up to subserosa
GROSS FEATURES: UC: -distended lumen -pseuodopolyps -irregular glandular architecture -crypt distortion (cryptitis) -ulceration -lesions bleed easily
Crohns:
- thickened bowel wall + narrow lumen
- cobble stone mucosa
- fat-wrapping= fat progresses onto anti-mesenteric border
- Fistulas or fissures= due to being TRANSMURAL DISEASE
HISTOLOGICAL FEATURES:
UC:
-basal plasmacytosis (disproportionate amount of cytoplasm in plasma cells)
-Absence of granulomas
Crohns:
- Epitheloid granulomas (diagnostic of Crohns)
- Lymphoid hyperplasia
AGE OF PRESENTATION:
- UC= 15-30 and 50-70 (bimodal)
- Crohns= 20-40
Where is the first sight of presentation of Crohns?
Ileocaecal junction (terminal ileum)
What condition can Crohn’s disease be misdiagnosed for?
Appendicitis= due to location of 1st presentation of Crohns causing similar pain pattern to appendicitis due to being anatomically close (central periumbilical pain which localises to RIF)
What is the pattern of disease progression in UC?
Starts in rectum and extends proximally
What causes IBD?
Inappropriate immune response against colonic flora in genetically susceptible individuals with compromised epithelium
What are the different factors influencing the development of IBD?
Family history Smoking Diet low in fibres and high in red meat NSAIDS Recent gastro infection= compromised microbiota Immunocompromised state
How would someone with ulcerative colitis typically present?
NOTE: symptoms tend to be relapsing-remitting i.e. acute worsening of symptoms leads to patient presenting with flares
Diarrhoea +/- blood and mucus Tenesmum (feeling of needing to empty bowels despite already being empty) Frequency Lower abdo pain and cramping Bloating Fever Malaise Weight loss
Systemic symptoms when experiencing an attack:
- Weight loss
- fever
- malaise
What signs would you be looking for on examination in patient with UC?
Abdominal distention
Tenderness
Anaemia symptoms i.e. pallor and fatigue
Large joint pain
Clubbing
Erythema nodosum= red/darker patches of skin due to swollen fat under surface
Pyoderma gangrenosum= painful skin ulcers
Episcleritis= inflammation between the conjunctiva and sclera of eye
What bio marker of IBD can be tested for in faeces? Why is it present?
Faecal calprotectin
Increased gut permeability leads to neutrophils being able to diffuse into gut lumen. Neutrophils contain calprotectin which results in calprotectin being present in faeces
What investigations are done for ulcerative colitis? What would you expect to find in UC?
Blood tests
- FBC= raised WCC or signs of anaemia
- U+Es
- CRP= raised
- LFTS= hypoalbuminaemia in severe disease
Stool tests
- faecal calprotectin = raised (differentiates from IBS)
- Miscropscopy and culturing= need to exclude Campylobacter, C diff, E. coli and salmonella
Lower GI endoscopy (gold standard)
-flexible sigmoidoscopy
NOTE: colonoscopy can be performed if unclear findings on sigmoidoscopy or once diagnosis established and wanting to determine the extent of the disease
What macroscopic findings would you expect to see during a sigmoidoscopy in a patient with UC?
Continuous uniformly inflamed mucosa
Erythematous friable mucosa
Ulceration
Pseudopolyps
What are the possible complications of UC?
Toxic mega colon
Perforations due to toxic dilation of colon
VTE= prophylaxis given to all in patients regardless of whether rectal bleeding present
Adenocarcinomas
Primary sclerosing cholangitis
Malnutrition
What are the 2 main aims of UC management?
Induction of remission
Maintenance of remission
How is mild-moderate UC managed medically?
MILD
5-ASA (aminosalicylates)= Mesalazine
I.e. PR for distal disease and oral for more expense disease
MOA= anti-inflammatory drug to act locally on colonic mucosa
MODERATE
Prednisolone can be used to induce remission when patient having 4-6 motions per day
How would severe UC be defined and how is it managed?
Patient unwell and >6 motions per day = patient admitted
IV hydration/electrolyte replacement
IV steroids i.e. hydrocortisone 100mg/6hrs
Thromboembolic prophylaxis
Monitor bloods
Multiple stool samples to rule out infection