Inflammatory Intestinal Disorders Flashcards
- Crohn's disease - Ulcerative colitis
IBD
Characterized by chronic, recurrent inflammation of intestinal tract
- Periods of remission are interspersed w/periods of exacerbation
- Exact cause is unknown
- There is no cure
On the basis of clinical manifestations, IBD is classified as either ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn’s disease
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Is inflammation of any segment of GI tract from mouth to anus
Crohn’s disease
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Is inflammation & ulceration of colon & rectum
Ulcerative colititis
IBD
- May occur @ any age
> Common during teenage yrs & early adulthood
> 2nd peak in 6th decade
- Occurs more commonly in people of white & Ashkenazic Jewish origin
- Many have a family member w/the disorder
An autoimmune disease
> Involves an immune reaction to a person’s own intestinal tract
> Some agent or combo of agents triggers an overactive, inappropriate, sustained immune response
> Results in widespread inflammation & tissue destruction
Involves a combo of factors
> Environmental factors
> Genetic predisposition
> Alterations in immune function
Environmental factors
- Diet
> High intake of total fats, PUFAs, omega-6 fatty acids, & meat is assoc w/inc risk of IBD - Exposure to air pollution
- Stress
- Smoking
- More prevalent in industrialized countries
High vegetable intake is associated w/a decreased risk of which condition?
Ulcerative colitis
High fiber & fruit intake are assoc w/dec risk of Crohn’s disease
Oral contraceptives & NSAIDs exacerbate Crohn’s disease
- Numerous genome-wide association studies have confirmed a genetic predisposition
- Certain genetic mutations are assoc w/Crohn’s disease, others assoc w/UC, & many assoc w/both
- IBD more likely to occur in those w/other genetic syndromes inc CF
- An inc prevalence occurs in the presence of other inflammatory disorders w/genetic susceptibility like psoriasis & MS
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This was the 1st gene assoc w/Crohn’s disease
- Gene changes are assoc w/a form of Crohn’s disease that affects the ileum in persons of northern European descent
- Gene changes trigger an abnormal immune response that allows bacteria to grow unchecked & invade intestinal cells, causing chronic inflammation & digestive problems
NOD2
A genetically susceptible person who is not exposed to a triggering agent will not become ill, & a person who is not genetically susceptible will not develop IBD even if exposed to a triggering agent
The pathway from genetic mutation to abnormal immune responses varies depending on which gene or genes are affected
> This variation may explain differences in pt responses to various rx therapies for IBD
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This condition usually starts in the rectum & moves in a continual fashion toward the cecum
> Although mild inflammation may occur in the terminal ileum, it’s a dz of the colon & rectum
Ulcerative colitis
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This condition can occur anywhere in the GI tract from the mouth to the anus, but most commonly involves the distal ileum & proximal colon
Segments of normal bowel can occur between diseased portions, so-called “skip” lesions
Crohn’s disease
Inflammation patterns differ between Crohn’s disease & ulcerative colitis
- Chronic disorders
> Pts suffer mild to severe acute exacerbations that occur @ unpredictable intervals over many yrs
The inflammation in Crohn’s disease involves all layers of the bowel wall
- Ulcerations are deep & longitudinal & penetrate between islands of inflamed, edematous mucosa, causing the classic cobblestone appearance
- Strictures @ areas of inflammation can cause bowel obstruction
- Since inflammation goes through entire wall, microscopic leaks can allow bowel contents to enter peritoneal cavity & form abscesses or produce peritonitis
- In active Crohn’s disease, fistulas are common
- For UC, inflammation & ulcerations occur in the mucosal layer, the innermost layer of the bowel wall; fistulas & abscesses are rare since inflammation doesn’t extend through all bowel wall layers
- B/c water & electrolytes aren’t absorbed through inflamed mucosa, diarrhea w/large fluid & electrolyte losses is common
- Breakdown of cells results in protein loss through the stool
- Areas of inflamed mucosa form pseudopolyps, tongue-like projections into the bowel lumen
Clinical Manifestations
- Diarrhea
- Weight loss
- Abd pain
- Fever
- Fatigue
Diarrhea & cramping abdominal pain are 2 common symptoms in which condition?
Crohn’s disease
Crohn’s disease
If the SI is involved, wt loss occurs from inflammation of the SI causing malabsorption
Rectal bleeding sometimes occurs w/Crohn’s disease, although not as often as w/ulcerative colitis
The primary manifestations of ulcerative colitis are __ __ & __ __
bloody diarrhea; abdominal pain
> Pain may vary from the mild lower abd cramping assoc w/diarrhea to severe, constant pain assoc w/acute perforations
- Mild, moderate, severe
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In __ dz, the pt has inc stool output (up to 10 stools/day), inc bleeding, & systemic sx’s (fever, malaise, mild anemia, anorexia)
moderate
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In __ dz, diarrhea is bloody, contains mucus, & occurs 10-20x/day
severe
- In add’n, fever, rapid wt loss >10% of total body weight, anemia, tachycardia, & dehydration are present
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In __ dz, diarrhea may consist of no more than 4 semi-formed stools daily that contain small amts of blood
> Pt may have no other manifestations
mild
GI tract (local) complications
- Hemorrhage
- Strictures
- Perforation (w/possible peritonitis)
- Abscesses
- Fistulas
- CDI
- Colonic dilation (toxic megacolon)
Pts w/toxic megacolon are @ risk of perforation & may need an emergency colectomy
Toxic megacolon is more common with which condition?
ulcerative colitis
Perineal abscesses & fistulas occur in up to a 3rd of pts w/which condition?
Crohn’s disease
CDI (Clostridium difficile infection) inc in frequency & severity in pts w/IBD
Hemorrhage may lead to anemia & needs to be corrected w/blood transfusions & iron supplements
Nutritional problems are esp common in Crohn’s disease when the terminal ileum is involved
Bile salts & cobalamin are exclusively absorbed in the terminal ileum
Thus, dz in the terminal ileum can result in fat malabsorption & anemia
- High risk for colorectal cancer
> Those w/Crohn’s dz are @ inc risk for small intestinal cancer
- Systemic complications
> Joint, eye, mouth, kidney, bone, vascular, & skin problems
> Circulating cytokines trigger inflammation
- Liver failure
> Routine LFT’s important b/c primary sclerosing cholangitis is a complication of IBD & can lead to liver failure
- In early Crohn’s dz, the sx’s are similar to those of IBS
- A CBC typically shows iron-deficiency anemia from blood loss
- An elevated WBC count may be an indication of toxic megacolon or perforation and possible peritonitis