IBD, Colon Cancer, Disorders of the Rectum Flashcards
two causes of IBD
- ulcerative colitis
- crohns
difference between ulcerative colitis vs crohns
- Ulcerative Colitis (UC)
- Chronic, recurrent disease characterized by diffuse mucosal inflammation involving colon only
- Involves rectum and may extend proximally in continuous fashion - Crohn’s Disease (CD)
- Chronic, recurrent disease characterized by patchy transmural inflammation involving any segment of the GI tract from mouth to anus
risk factors for IBS
- Female - CD Male - UC
- M/C in Caucasians
- “Western Diet”
- Others - infection, obesity
- Smoking: CD
pathophys of crohns
- Transmural inflammation & Skip lesions in GI tract
- Any part from mouth to anus
- MC = terminal ileum
— Some may present with terminal ileum AND cecum
— ~ ⅓ have perianal disease
- Transmural inflammation leads to: Strictures, Obstruction, fistulas, Perforation
segments of normal appearing bowel interrupted by areas of disease
skip lesions
Cigarette smoking is strongly associated with the development of what?
resistance to medical therapy
early disease relapse
clinical manifestations of crohn’s
- Chronic hx of recurrent episodes of RLQ
pain and diarrhea - Crampy abd pain (RLQ MC)
- Can be steady
- Can be periumbilical - Diarrhea (Intermittent, mostly Non-bloody)
- Malabsorptive
- Steatorrhea - wt loss, Weakness, fatigue, focal tenderness RLQ
- S/Sx Small bowel obstruction, fistula formation, abscess
- May feel mass in right colon
- represents thickened or matted loops of inflamed intestines
May feel “mass” in RLQ = The MC site of pathology = terminal ileum
other sx of crohn’s
- Stricture/narrowing of small bowel
- Perianal disease - Fistulas, Abscess
- Oral Disease - Aphthous ulcers
- Extraintestinal
- Arthralgia, arthritis
- Iritis, Uveitis
- Kidney Stones
- Skin Disorders - Pyoderma gangrenosum, Erythema nodosum - S/Sx from nutrient deficiencies
name the different types of fistulas
Enterovesical - intestine to bladder
Enterocutaneous - intestine to skin
Enteroenteric - intestine to colon
Enterovaginal - intestine to vagina
What are the clinical manifestations of fistulas?
Infection, abscesses, problems with personal hygiene, weight loss, malnutrition, diarrhea
this skin disorder has attacks correlated with bowel activity; skin lesions develop after onset of bowel symptoms
Lesions are hot, red, tender in Crohns
Erythema Nodosum
Associated with severe crohn’s disease
Lesions commonly found on dorsal surface of feet and legs, but can occur arms, chest, stoma, even face
Begins as pustule, spreads to rapidly undermine healthy skin, ulcerate with central necrotic tissue-up to 30cm
Pyoderma Gangrenosum
diagnostic work-up for crohn’s
-
Colonoscopy w/ bx
- skip areas
- cobblestone
- pseudopolyps and granulomas possible - labs: CBC, serum albumin, CMP, ESR, CRP, Iron, Vit D and B-12, stool studies
management for crohn’s
provide symptomatic relief, shorten duration of acute flares, and minimize complications - NOT CURATIVE
Diet
Stop smoking
Symptomatic Medications - (Antidiarrheals)
Maintenance Medications
Acute Flare Medications
Many require at least one surgical procedure: Resection, Abscess Drainage/Removal, Fistulectomy
Low-risk - No or Mild Symptoms of crohn’s
Normal or mild elevation in C-reactive protein
Diagnosis at age >30
Limited distribution of bowel inflammation
Superficial or no ulceration on colonoscopy
Lack of perianal complications
No prior intestinal resections
Absence of penetrating or stricturing disease
Tx for Low-risk - No or Mild Symptoms of crohn’s in Ileum/cecum?
ileum region most involved
- Enteric coated Budesonide
- 5-ASA controversial in inducing remission; those who don’t want steroid
- no improvement 3-6 mo = immunomodulator/ biologic
Tx for Diffuse colitis or left colonic involvement, mild to moderate
crohn’s
- Oral prednisone 40mg qd; tapering off over 1-2 months
- 5-ASA as alternative option - Maintenance of Remission
- ileocolonoscopy in 6-12 mo and observation
- If remission achieved with 5-ASA, continue therapy until ileocolonoscopy in 6-12 mo - relapse = glucocorticoid, immunomodulator (azathioprine) or biologic ( infliximab)
characteristics of high-risk crohn’s for tx
Diagnosis at an age < 30
Tobacco use
Elevated C-reactive protein
Deep ulcers on colonoscopy
Long segments of small and or large bowel involvement
Perianal disease
Extra-intestinal manifestations
History of bowel resections
Also include patients who have not responded to glucocorticoids or who relapse after achieving clinical remission following induction therapy
Crohn’s tx for High-Risk - Moderate to Severe
- “Top down” strategy
-
infliximab + azathioprine
- to induce and maintain remission
- treat fistula formation
management for crohn’s tx once remission is seen?
- ileocolonoscopy in 6-12 mo
- combo therapy continued x 1-2 yrs - alt: glucocorticoid until remission, then maintenance with biologic agent (TNF)
Can use prednisone for initial symptomatic relief
>50% will require surgical intervention: fistulas
- Relapsing & Remitting Episodes of inflammation - Mucosal Layer of Colon ONLY
- Resulting in diffuse friability and erosions with bleeding
what is this dx?
IBD - Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative Colitis MC involves what parts of the digestive tract?
rectum and sigmoid colon
- Ulcerative Proctitis
- Ulcerative Proctosigmoiditis
- Left or Distal UC
- Extensive colitis (Proximal to Splenic Flexure)
- Pancolitis (Cecum)
presentation of Ulcerative Colitis
- Crampy lower abd pain - Relieved with defecation
- Bloody Diarrhea is hallmark
- Diarrhea with pus/mucus
- Fecal Urgency and tenesmus
- Fever, fatigue, wt loss
- Anemia
- Extraintestinal: Arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis
Skin, Eye, others…..MC with CD
complications with Ulcerative Colitis
Severe bleed
Fulminant colitis - > 10 BM’s/day
Toxic megacolon
Perforation
Ulcerative Colitis is Mc in who?
nonsmokers and former smokers
Severity may be lower in active smokers
May worsen in patients who stop smoking
work-up for ulcerative colitis
chronic diarrhea >4 wks + evidence of active inflammation on sigmoidoscopy
- H/H, ESR, CRP, stool studies
-
DX: Sigmoidoscopy
- Continuous friable mucosa, edematous, with pus, bleeding and erosions, erythema
- pseudopolyps
- Moderate-severe - Deep ulceration and spontaneous bleeding - CT/Xray for colonic dilatation
DO NOT perform colonscopy in pts with ?
severe active disease or fulminant colitis!!
Risk of Perforation or Megacolon
Chronic inflammation causes colon to expand, dilate, and distend
Colonic diameter > 7cm
what is this dx
Toxic Megacolon
unable to move gas, feces, now get buildup
Can lead to perforation/infection
Fever, Elevated WBC, ESR, HR > 120
Dehydration, Hypotension
dx: Abdominopelvic CT w/ contrast, serial radiographs to monitor progression
tx for toxic megacolon
- Supportive; restoring normal motility and decrease likelihood of perforation.
- Surgery if needed, TPN, Etiology specific therapy
Patients with long-standing UC are at increased risk for ?
colonic epithelial dysplasia and carcinoma
tx for Mild-Mod Ulcerative Proctitis/Distal Colitis
- Topical mesalamine (5-ASA) (enema, suppository)
- Hydrocortisone suppository - less effective (cheaper)
tx for Mild-Moderate Ulcerative Colitis extending past Sigmoid Colon
- Oral mesalamine + topical mesalamine
- Oral corticosteroids
- If unresponsive to therapy after 4-8 wks
tx for Moderate - Severe Ulcerative Colitis
- Oral Prednisone, taper x 5-10mg wkly
- Immunomodulators (azathioprine,cyclosporine) +/- TNF (infliximab) - if unresponsive to corticosteroids OR if flares occur while tapering off corticosteroids
what is curative for ulcerative colitis?
Total proctocolectomy with placement of ileostomy
maintenance for ulcerative colitis
- Indicated if:
- more than one relapse in a year
- All with ulcerative proctosigmoiditis (involving rectum/anus/sigmoid)
- All with UC proximal to sigmoid colon (left-sided colitis) - Mesalamine (oral or topical) or other 5-ASA
tx for Severe Disease in Ulcerative Colitis & Crohns Disease
Hospitalized
Bowel Rest (TPN if prolonged withholding of feedings)
IV Corticosteroids
Infliximab/Remicade (TNF blocker)- if no improvement on corticosteroids within 4-7 days
indication for 5-ASA
Induction and Maintenance therapy of UC and CD
5-ASA: Sulfasalazine, Mesalamine
MOA of 5-ASA
Poorly understood; Inhibits prostaglandin production - producing anti-inflammatory effects
must exert effect directly to colon (EC tabs, pH dependant/chemical dependant tabs, suppositories, enemas)
SE of 5-ASA
N/V, HA, Hypersensitivity reaction
CI of 5-ASA
Sulfa or ASA allergy