Lower GI Flashcards
IBD, coeliac, IBS, lower GI, colorectal cancer
What are the two types of inflammatory bowel disease?
Crohn’s disease
Ulcerative colitis
What is Crohn’s disease?
A disorder with unknown aetiology characterised by TRANSMURAL inflammation of the GI tract that can affect any part from mouth to anus.
Found as SKIP lesions
What is ulcerative colitis?
Relapsing and remitting inflammatory disorder of the colonic mucosa.
What is the aetiology of inflammatory bowel disease?
Both have an unknown aetiology.
What are the risk factors for Crohn’s?
Smoking OCP Nutrition deficiency Previous GI infection FHx Diet high in refined sugars
Epidemiology IBD
Ashkenazi Jews
Bimodal peak:
15-40
60-80
Which layers of the gut are affected by Crohn’s?
All the layers:
- mucosa
- submucosa
- muscularis propria
- subserosa
- serosa
Which layers of the gut are affected by UC?
Mucosa and submucosa
Which parts of the GI tract are affected by Crohn’s?
Mouth to anus
Particularly terminal ileum + perianal
Which parts of the GI tract are affected by UC?
Colon and rectum
Which parts of the GI tract are inflamed in Crohn’s?
Random patches, with skip lesions
Which parts of the GI tract are inflamed in UC?
Continuous from the anus proximally
Which of the IBD’s commonly has fissures/abscesses?
Crohn’s
What is the main bowel symptom in Crohn’s?
Diarrhoea +/- blood
What is the main bowel symptom in UC?
Bloody +/- mucus diarrhoea
What is the difference in flare pattern for Crohn’s and UC?
Crohn’s- systemically unwell
UC- feel well between flares
Which of the IBD’s is curative via surgery?
UC
How does the presence of blood present in IBD?
Mixed in with the stool
Which IBD is likely to present with RIF pain?
Crohn’s (terminal ileitis)
Which IBD is likely to present with mouth ulcers?
Crohn’s
What are the extra-intestinal manifestations of IBD?
A PIE SAC
Aphthous ulcers (CD>UC) Pyoderma gangrenosum I- eye- iritis, uveitis, episcleritis (CD>UC) Erythema nodosum Sclerosing cholangitis (UC) Arthritis Clubbing fingers (CD>UC)
What bedside/blood investigations would you do on a Pt with Crohn’s?
BLOODS:
FBC (anemia)
LFT’s (primary sclerosing cholangitis*)
CRP / ESR (inflammatory disease)
STOOL SAMPLE:
Increased faecal calprotectin (indicates inflammation)
OTHER:
pANCA (70% positive)
What investigations would you do on a Pt with UC?
Stool sample
Blood tests
Abdo XR
Colonoscopy/flexisig and biopsy
What would a colonoscopy and biopsy of a Pt with UC show as?
Mucin depletion
Diffuse mucosal atrophy
Continuous from the rectum with ANAL SPARING
What may you see on the Abdo XR of a Pt with UC?
Toxic megacolon
Lead piping
Thumb printing
Why would you measure the CRP and ESR of a Pt with IBD?
To provide baseline markers for inflammation
Why would you measure the LFTs of a Pt with IBD?
To check for primary sclerosing cholangitis (UC)
What is lead piping?
Loss of the haustral markings
Due to inflammation
What is thumb printing?
Large bowel wall thickening
Due to infective/inflammatory process
What is toxic megacolon?
IBD/C Diff progressing into inflammatory colitis progressing into toxic megacolon
What are the symptoms of a toxic megacolon?
Extreme vomiting
Abdo pain
Abdo distension
How do you induce remission for Crohn’s?
Corticosteroids
What is the prognosis of a Pt with Crohn’s?
Increased mortality
What is the prognosis of a Pt with UC?
Mortality not affected
Risk of developing toxic megacolon
What is Coeliac disease?
Systemic autoimmune disease triggered by dietary gluten peptides- GLIADIN
What is the epidemiology of Coeliac disease?
Western countries
Peaks at infancy and 50-60 yrs
F:M 2:1
What are the 2 key histological features of Coeliac disease?
Villous atrophy
Hypertrophy of intestinal crypts
What are the risk factors for Coeliac disease?
FHx
IgA deficiency
T1DM
Autoimmune thyroid disease
What symptoms may a Pt with Coeliac disease present with?
Symptoms can be vague/mild:
- Diarrhoea (chronic / intermittent)
- Bloating
- Abdominal pain / discomfort - after eating gluten
EXTRA INTESTINAL
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Dermatitis Herpetiformis (elbows)
What signs may a Pt with Coeliac disease present with?
- Anaemia
- Dermatitis herpetiformis- bilateral itchy vesicles and plaques, usually elbows/extensor surfaces
- B12/iron/folate deficiency symptoms
What 3 antibodies may be elevated in a patient with Coeliac disease?
- IgA-tissue transglutaminase (IgA-TTG)
- Anti-endomysial antibodies (EMA)
- IgG DGP (deamidated gliadin peptide)
What will an endoscopy and duodenal biopsy show in a Pt with Coeliac disease?
Villous atrophy
Cryptal hyperplasia
Intraepithelial WBCs
How would you manage a Pt with Coeliac disease?
Gluten-free diet
Vitamin D supplementation
What is the prognosis of a Pt with Coeliac disease?
> 90% will have complete and lasting resolutions on a gluten-free diet
What are the complications of a Pt with Coeliac disease?
Upper GI lymphoma/carcinomas
Osteoporosis
Chronic dermatitis herpetiformis
What is irritable bowel syndrome?
Recurrent abdo pain in the past 3 months associated with at least 2 of the following: -defecation -change in stool frequency -change in stool consistency [Rome IV criteria]
How is IBS diagnosed?
Via a process of exclusion
How would you manage a Pt with IBS?
Avoid precipitating factors FODMAP diet Peppermint oil/tea Anti-diarrhoeal (loperamide) SSRIs (citalopram)
What is an anal fissure?
Anal fissure is a split in the mucosal lining of the distal anal canal characterised by pain on defecation and rectal bleeding
RF for anal fissures
HARD STOOL
PREGNANCY
OPIATES
Anything causing constipation
Where do anal fissures most commonly present?
Posterior midline of the anal canal (90%)
Recent evidence suggests this may be due to ischaemia, as this is the location with poorest circulation
What symptoms may a Pt with an anal fissure present with?
PAIN ON DEFECATION- tearing sensation
“like passing sharp glass”
FRESH BLOOD on toiler paper
What investigations would do you do on a Pt with an anal fissure?
NA- anal fissures are a clinical diagnosis + DRE (may be under anaesthesia if very painful)
What is the treatment for a Pt with an anal fissure?
1st line – CONSERVATIVE- manage constipation:
- High fibre diet
- Adequate fluid intake
- Sitz baths
ANALGESIA- relaxes anal muscles
- Topical Glyceryl Trinitrate (GTN)
- Topical Diltiazem
What is the prognosis for a Pt with an anal fissure?
80% heal with treatment
What are the complications of an anal fissure?
Chronicity
Incontinence post-op
What are haemorrhoids?
Vascular rich tissue cushions located within the anal canal
Prolonged/Repetitive straining causes disruption of the tissues and results in elongation/dilation of the haemorrhoidal tissues
What is the epidemiology of haemorrhoids?
4% of the population
Common in 45-65 yrs
What is the main risk factor for haemorrhoids?
Raised intra-abdominal pressure:
- constipation
- chronic cough
- pregnancy
- obesity
- ascites
- SOL