Inflammatory bowel disease Flashcards
What is Crohn’s disease?
Crohn’s disease is a form of inflammatory bowel disease that commonly affects the terminal ileum and colon but may be seen anywhere from the mouth to anus.
What is the cause of Crohn’s disease?
The cause is unknown but there is a strong genetic susceptibility.
What layers of the gastrointestinal tract are affected by Crohn’s disease?
Inflammation occurs in all layers, down to the serosa.
What complications are patients with Crohn’s disease prone to?
Patients with Crohn’s are prone to strictures, fistulas, and adhesions.
What percentage of Crohn’s disease patients have small bowel involvement?
80% of patients have small bowel involvement, usually in the ileum.
What are the common presentations of Crohn’s disease?
Common presentations include weight loss, lethargy, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and perianal disease.
What investigations are used for Crohn’s disease?
Investigations include raised inflammatory markers, increased faecal calprotectin, anaemia, and low vitamin B12 and vitamin D.
What are common extra-intestinal features of Crohn’s disease?
Common extra-intestinal features include arthritis, erythema nodosum, episcleritis, and osteoporosis.
What is Crohn’s disease?
Crohn’s disease is a form of inflammatory bowel disease that commonly affects the terminal ileum and colon but may be seen anywhere from the mouth to anus.
What blood test correlates well with Crohn’s disease activity?
C-reactive protein correlates well with disease activity.
What is the investigation of choice for Crohn’s disease?
Colonoscopy is the investigation of choice.
Features suggestive of Crohn’s include deep ulcers and skip lesions.
What histological features are seen in Crohn’s disease?
Inflammation in all layers from mucosa to serosa, goblet cells, and granulomas.
What is the purpose of a small bowel enema in Crohn’s disease?
It has high sensitivity and specificity for examination of the terminal ileum.
What sign indicates strictures in Crohn’s disease during a small bowel enema?
‘Kantor’s string sign’ indicates strictures.
What are the features of Crohn’s disease observed in small bowel enema?
Proximal bowel dilation, ‘rose thorn’ ulcers, and fistulae.
What is Crohn’s disease?
Crohn’s disease is a form of inflammatory bowel disease that commonly affects the terminal ileum and colon but may be seen anywhere from the mouth to anus.
What guidelines were published for the management of Crohn’s disease?
NICE published guidelines on the management of Crohn’s disease in 2012.
What lifestyle change should patients with Crohn’s disease be advised to make?
Patients should be strongly advised to stop smoking.
What medications are generally used to induce remission in Crohn’s disease?
Glucocorticoids (oral, topical or intravenous) are generally used to induce remission.
What is an alternative medication for inducing remission in a subgroup of Crohn’s disease patients?
Budesonide is an alternative in a subgroup of patients.
What is the role of enteral feeding in Crohn’s disease management?
Enteral feeding with an elemental diet may be used in addition to or instead of other measures to induce remission, particularly if there is concern regarding the side-effects of steroids.
What are 5-ASA drugs used for in Crohn’s disease?
5-ASA drugs (e.g. mesalazine) are used second-line to glucocorticoids but are not as effective.
What medications may be used as add-on therapy to induce remission in Crohn’s disease?
Azathioprine or mercaptopurine may be used as an add-on medication to induce remission but are not used as monotherapy.
What is the role of infliximab in Crohn’s disease?
Infliximab is useful in refractory disease and fistulating Crohn’s.