Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Flashcards
What are the two forms of IBD. (2)
Crohn’s disease.
Ulcerative colitis.
What are the characteristics of Crohn’s disease. (9)
Affects any part of the GIT from mouth to anus. Segmental. Transmural process. Ulceration. Cobblestone appearance. Pseudopolyps. Non-caseating granulomas. Fissures. Fistulae.
What contributes to the development of Crohn’s disease. (3)
Genetic predisposition (NOD2/CARD15).
Smoking.
NSAIDs may exacerbate disease.
What are the symptoms of Crohn’s disease dependent on.
Depends on the site affected.
What are the typical symptoms associated with Crohn’s disease. (5)
Abdominal pain. Diarrhoea/urgency. Weight loss/failure to thrive. PR mucus/pus. Arthritis.
What are the clinical signs of Crohn’s disease. (12)
Fever. Malaise. Anorexia. Anaemia. Palpable inflammatory mass. Perianal abscess/fistulae/skin tags. Anal strictures. Aphthous ulcerations. Abdominal tenderness/mass. Erythema nodosum. Clubbing. Pyoderma gangrenosum.
What is seen on the blood tests of a patient with Crohn’s disease. (4)
Raised CRP.
Raised ESR.
Low Hb.
Low albumin.
What tests should be conducted in a patient suspected of having Crohn’s disease. (7)
Stool microscopy/culture.
Blood tests (CRP, ESR, albumin, WCC, Hb, FBC, UandEs, LFTs, INR, ferritin, TIBC, B12, folate).
Sigmoidoscopy/colonoscopy with biopsies.
Small bowel enema detects ileal disease.
White cell scan.
BaFT.
MRI (can assess pelvic disease and fistulae).
What malabsorption tests should be performed in a patient with Crohn’s. (4)
Vitamin B12.
Folate.
Vitamin D.
Calcium.
What are the complications of Crohn’s disease. (16)
Stricturing. Small bowel obstruction. Perforation. Toxic dilatation (rarer than in UC). Abscess formation. Fistulae. Rectal haemorrhage. Colon cancer. PSC. Cholangiocarcinoma. Renal stones. Osteomalacia. Malnutrition. Amyloidosis. Cholelithiasis. Fatty liver.
What is the treatment for Crohn’s. (9)
Mild attacks: prednisolone 30mg/d PO for 1 week, then 20mg/d for 4 weeks.
Severe attacks: IV steroids, NBM, IVI, hydrocortisone 100mg/6h IV.
Other treatments include: 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) eg. mesalazine. Antibiotics. Azathioprine/6-mercaptopurine. Methotrexate. Infliximab (anti-TNF alpha). Enteral therapies (elemental diet, TPN). Surgery.
What are the characteristics of UC. (7)
Involves the rectum and extends proximally.
Inflammation confined to mucosa and submucosa.
Distorted crypt architecture.
Cryptitis.
Crypt abscesses.
Inflammatory cell infiltrate.
Vascular congestion.
What contributes to the development of UC. (2)
Genetic predisposition.
Non-smokers.
What are the symptoms of UC. (7)
Episodic or chronic diarrhoea.
PR bleeding and mucus.
Crampy abdominal discomfort.
Systemic symptoms in attacks: Weight loss. Fever. Malaise. Anorexia.
What are the physical signs of UC. (19)
There may be none. In acute, severe UC, there may be: Fever. Tachycardia. Tender distended abdomen.
Extraintestinal signs include: Clubbing. Aphthous oral ulcers. Conjunctivitis. Episcleritis. Iritis. Large joint arthritis. Sacroilitis. Ankylosing spndylitis. Fatty liver. PSC. Cholangiocarcinoma. Nutritional deficits. Amyloidosis. Erythema nodosum. Pyoderma gangrenosum.
What is seen on the blood tests of a patient with UC. (5)
Raised CRP. Raised ESR. Raised platelets. Low albumin. Low Hb.
What are the investigations carried out in a patient suspected of UC. (8)
Blood tests (CRP, ESR, albumin, platelets, Hb, FBC, UandEs, LFTs).
Blood cultures.
Stool microscopy/culture.
AbdoXray (need to rule out toxic dilatation).
Colonoscopy with biopsies.
Erect CXR (to look for perforation).
Barium enema (never do during severe attacks or for diagnosis).
pANCA test.
What percentage of UC patients test positive for pANCA.
70%.
How do you induce remission in UC. (3)
Mild UC: 5-ASA (eg sulfasalazine/mesalazine).
Steroids (prednisolone 20mg/d PO, helps remission induction).
Moderate UC (if 4-6BO/day): prednisolone 40mg/d for 1 week, then 30mg/d for 1 week, then 20mg for 4 more weeks and 5-ASA.
Severe UC (if unwell and >6BO.day): NBM, IV hydration, hydrocortisone 100mg/6h IV, rectal steroids, daily blood tests and physical examinations.
What are the complications of UC. (7)
Haemorrhage. Perforation. Venous thrombosis. Toxic megacolon. Colorectal carcinoma. Fatty liver. Primary sclerosing cholangitis.
What part of the GIT does Crohn’s disease affect.
Any part from mouth to anus.
What part of the GIT does UC affect.
Affects large bowel only.
What are the typical endoscopic findings in Crohn’s disease. (3)
Rectum frequently spared.
Some areas of healthy bowel between diseased segments (skip lesions).
Bowel wall is thickened and has a cobblestone’ appearance due to deep ulceration.
What are the typical endoscopic findings in UC.
Bowel wall is thin and featureless in severe disease.
What are the typical histological findings in Crohn’s disease. (2)
Granuloma is the characteristic finding. Transmural inflammation (extends all the way through the bowel wall).