Pathology of GI disease

Question 1

How can protein malabsorption be tested for?

Answer 1

The alpha 1 antitrypsin test - prescence of alpha-1-antitrypsin indicates GI tract bleeding because the A1A is not degraded and indicates proteins.
It is given to patients exogenously and can indicate if the patient has protein loading enteropathy

Question 2

What is a good test for measuring pancreatic insufficiency?

Answer 2

Fecal elastase is an enzyme that binds to bile acids and is a good indicator of pancreatic function

Question 3

How is coeliac disease diagnosed?

Answer 3

With testing for anti-tissue transglutimase type 2, This is an IgA antibody that is identified by enzyme assay

Question 4

How can you distinguish inflammatory bowel disease from irritable bowel syndrome?

Answer 4

using fecal calprotectin

Question 5

What is the rough pathophysiology of acute pancreatitis?

Answer 5

Premature activation of enzymes within the pancreas so they start to digest the pancreas itself

Question 6

What investigtion can be done for pancreatitis?

Answer 6

Can look at amylase levels and these will be raised with pancreatitis, not that specific as can be raised in other conditions

Question 7

Why does the acute phase reaction make it hard to determine the individuals nutritional status?

Answer 7

In the acute phase reaction CRP rises and albumin falls. Along with albumin zinc, iron and many vitamin levels fall