IBD + IBS Flashcards
IBD definition
crohns disease and ulcerative colitis
both chronic, inflammatory, non infectious relapsing-remitting diseases in GI tract
IBD presentation
persistent diarrhoea (4-6 weeks) +/- blood +/- mucus
(blood and mucus are more common in UC)
tenesmus (present in crohns colitis or ulcerative colitis)
nocturnal fecal incontinence
lower abdominal pain + tenderness
fatigue + weight loss (cachexia) –> due to malasbsorption
digital clubbing
both have similar presentations especially if crohns affects the colon
(remember to think about malignancy with these symptoms as well)
what are the investigations in suspected UC
what are the expected results
bloods:
FBC –> anaemia + raised WCC (often IDA but remember anaemia of chronic disease)
ESR + CRP –> raised due to inflammation
LFTs —> hypoalbuminaemia due to malabsorption
Stool tests:
faecal calprotectin —> elevated due to bowel inflammation
infective pathogens MC+S —> important to exclude infection, -ve E.coli, salmonella, campylobacter
Flexi sig but if results are unclear then full colonoscopy, + biopsy:
Macroscopic –> continuous inflammmation, pseudopolyps + ulcers
Microscopic –> non-granulomatous, reduced goblet cells + crypt abscesses
if acute abdomen —> CT and abdominal AXR to check for life threatening complications of UC e.g. toxic megacolon or bowel perforation
What is the definition of UC?
Continuous and uniform inflammation of the large bowel (originating from the rectum)
commonly only affects the rectum –> proctitis
Where does UC affect?
Rectum - extending proximally
colon only
what risk factors are associated with UC
HLA-B27 gene
(also associated with Ankylosing spondylitis)
what are the UC specific features
affects only large colon –> continuous inflammation which extends proximally from rectum
only mucosa + sub mucosa of intestinal wall are inflamed
often only affects rectum –> proctitis
Macroscopic –> continuous inflammmation, pseudopolyps + ulcers
Microscopic –> non-granulomatous, reduced goblet cells + crypt abscesses
well between bouts of attack
how is UC classified
into mild, moderate and severe as per truelove + witts criteria (should say >6 not 76)
also according to area of colon affected:
Proctitis: rectum
Proctosigmoiditis: rectum and sigmoid colon
Left-sided colitis: rectum, sigmoid colon and descending colon
Extensive colitis: rectum, sigmoid colon, descending colon and transverse colon
Pancolitis: rectum and entire colon
management of UC
need to induce + maintain remission
topical = rectal
escalate in stepwise fashion if treatment not inducing remission
1st line –> aminosalicylates = mesalazine (topical) then sulfasalazine (oral) (to induce + maintain remission)
if remission still not achieved then add steroids e.g. prednisolone
corticosteroids are used when aminosalicylates aren’t working but you don’t use them long term to maintain remission, once it is induced you taper off steroid use due to side effects e.g. osteoporosis
calcineurin inhibitors can be added to steroids if they not sufficient e.g. ciclosporin
after severe relapse or if >=2 exacerbation in a year:
oral azathiopurine or oral mercaptopurine (need TPMT activity chekced beforehand)
when UC is refractory to other treatments –> biologics e.g. infliximab
surgery if patient cannot be managed by medical therapy or if they have severe complications e.g. toxic megacolon, bowel perforation
(methotexate not used in UC management)
What is administered to induce remission in a severe acute exacerbation of UC?
Intravenous corticosteroids
what are the complications of ulcerative colitis
increased risk of colorectal cancer –> colonscopy surveillance ffered depending on individual patient risk
osteoporosis
bowel perforation
increased blood clot risk
toxic megacolon
severe bleeding
what are key features seen in imaging of UC
lead pipe appearance of colon –> due to loss of haustral markings –> appears smooth walled + cyclindrical
seen on barium enema (x ray), CT, MRI
Per the Truelove and Witt’s criteria how many bowel motions is associated with severe UC?
6 or more loose and bloody bowel motions a day with fever, tachycardia, haemoglobin level of <105 g/L (<10.5 g/dL), and ESR of at least 30 mm/hour.
what are the extra intestinal manifestations of IBD
A PIE SAC
Apthous ulcers (CD>UC)
Pyoderma gangrenosum
I (eye) - iritis, uveitis, episcleritis
Erthema nodosum
Sclerosing cholangitis (primary) (UC>CD)
Arthritis (CD>UC)
Clubbing (CD>UC)
some are more common in each disease, but extraintestinal manifestations are more common in colonic disease
not all are correlated with severity of disease
how can IBD affect eyes
iritis, uveitis, episcleritis
(red eyes)
how can IBD affect skin
erythema nodosum - tender red nodules typically on shin
pyoderma gangrenosum - large rapidly developing painful ulcers
pallor from anaemia
erythema + pyoderma are more common in crohns
IBD complication associated with cholestasis
primary sclerosing cholangitis
inflammation of bile ducts –> scarring –> blockage
more common in UC
can be asymptomatic or can be quite debilitating e.g. jaundice + itching
raised ALP
What is Crohn’s disease?
Transmural inflammation of the GI tract affecting any part of the mouth to anus
forms skip lesions
investigations in suspected crohns disease
bloods:
FBC –> anaemia + raised WCC (often IDA but remember anaemia of chronic disease)
ESR + CRP –> raised due to inflammation
LFTs —> hypoalbuminaemia due to malabsorption
low B12 + vitamin D due to malabsorption
Stool tests:
faecal calprotectin —> elevated due to bowel inflammation
infective pathogens MC+S —> important to exclude infection, -ve E.coli, salmonella, campylobacter
colonoscopy + biopsy:
Macroscopic –> skip lesions + cobblestone appearance
microscopic –> non-caseating granulomas, goblet cells present in healthy tissue, transmural inflammaiton
if patient is systemically unwell e.g. hypotension, fever, teachycardia –> urgent hospital admission
