PUD Flashcards
background info for peptic ulcers
Peptic ulcers require gastric acid for their formation
Three common types: Helicobacter Pylori induced, NSAID induced, Stress-related mucosal damage (SRMD)
Most common occurrences: Stomach, Duodenum*
ulcer definition
breaks in the mucosal surface over 5mm in
size, with depth to the submucosa
imbalances leading to mucosal damage
Increased gastric acid and pepsin secretion - increased tissue breakdown
Decreased bicarbonate, blood flow, and cell regeneration - decreased natural protection
risk factors for PUD
**H. Pylori
**NSAID use (don’t overlook PRN ibuprofen or ASA)
antiplatelet medications (ACS = DAPT), Smoking, Alcohol, Gastric acid
hypersecretion, Patient non-compliance, Viral infections, Vascular insufficiency, Radiation and chemotherapy
H. Pylori induced PUD
gram negative bacteria
most remain asymptomatic
no clear link to causing dyspepsia or GERD symptoms
30-40% of US population is infected - commonly acquired during childhood
transmission occurs person-to-person via oral-oral or fecal-oral
unique pathophysiology - facilitate residence, induce mucosal injury, avoid host defenses, induced inflammatory response
NSAID induced PUD
cause direct mucosal damage - cause intermucosal hemorrhages, progress to erosions with continued use,, worse if concominant H. Pylori, inhibit PGs
take with food
gastric ulcers occur in up to 25% of patients with continued use
established risk factors for NSAID induced PUD
Age over 65 Previous peptic ulcer Concomitant corticosteroid Concomitant ASA High-dose NSAID NSAID + other drugs - antiplatelets (compound risk), anticoagulants (compound risk), bisphosphonates (irritant), SSRIs
potential risk factors for NSAID induced PUD
NSAID-related dyspepsia H. pylori infection Rheumatoid arthritis Alcohol consumption Cigarette consumption
other PUD risk factors
antiplatelet use - ASA (increased with other NSAIDs), clopidogrel, DAPT, Hx of GERD or PUD, CS use, over 60 YO, anticoagulant use
cigarette smoking - mechanism unclear, risk proportional to number of cigarettes
complications of PUD
upper GI bleed - H Pylori and NSAID induced, bleeding caused by erosion of ulcer into an artery
perforation into the peritoneal cavity - surgical emergency, 1/3 to 1/2 caused by NSAIDs, pain is “sudden, sharp, and severe”
gastric outlet obstruction - mechanical obstruction of the intestines
clinical presentation of PUD
pain with food? stomach ulcer
pain after food (1-3 hours)? intestinal ulcer
epigastric pain - burning, fullness, cramping, nocturnal pain (patients wake up)
may be seasonal/cyclical (relapsing/remitting)
changes in character of pain
heartburn, belching, bloating
NV associated with weight loss
diagnosis of PUD
lab tests - Hgb and Hct may be low during active bleeds, stool hemoccult, test for HPylori
esopahgogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) - can be used to acutely treat ulcers, detects 90% of ulcers, direct inspection biopsy and visualization of active ulcers and bleeding, preferred for accurate diagnosis or concerns for bleeding
endoscopic diagnosis of HPylori induced PUD
histology - gold standard, tests for active infection
culture - allows for sensitivity testing for antibiotic use, use after 2nd line treatment failure
biopsy urease - HPylori produces ammonia which leads to color change, preferred test with endoscopy, rapid results
polymerase chain reaction - tests for HPylori DNA in gastric tissue, high rate of false positives and negatives
nonendoscopic diagnosis of HPylori induced PUD
antibody tests - unable to determine active or past infection, less specific and sensitive than endoscopic tests
urea breath test - HPylori breaks down ingested labeled C-urea and exhales labeled CO2, test for active infection, hold PPI or H2RA for 1-2 weeks and bismuth or antibiotics for 4 weeks
fecal antigen - blood with HPylori, test for active antigen, medications can cause false positive but to a lesser extent
patient presents with ulcer like symptoms….
Think 1) NSAID?? 2) HPylori??
on NSAID? stop it. decrease it. still sxs? PPI or H2RA still sxs?? endoscopy
hpylori?? serology or endoscopy. ulcer?? treat or test for HPylori. yes? treat and follow up. no? NSAID? evaluate need and consider COX-2 with PPI
goals of PUD therapy
Relieve pain and heal ulcers
Prevent ulcer recurrence
Eradicate H. pylori infection
NSAID-induced: Heal ulcer, Assess medication therapy
nonpharm PUD therapy
Reduce psychological
stress
Stop smoking
Avoid foods and beverages that worsen symptoms - Spicy foods, alcohol, caffeine, etc.
Use alternative agents to NSAIDs for pain if possible
Surgery