Stomach Disorders Flashcards
What is dyspepsia?
Indigestion, burning sensation, epigastric/upper abdominal pain, bloating/gas, nausea, early satiety (fullness)
What is dysphagia?
Difficulty swallowing
What is odynophagia?
Pain with swallowing
What is an upper endoscopy/upper GI endoscopy/EGD?
Procedure using a thin scope w/ a light & camera at its tip to look inside upper digestive tract
What does EDG stand for?
esophagogastroduodenoscopy
What is GERD?
Condition that develops when there is reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus, causing sx or complications
GERD is most commonly caused by what?
A functional or mechanical problem of the LES
What can cause functional/mechanical problems w/ the LES?
Transient relaxation of LES or Hypotensive LES (<10 mmHg)
Normal pressure of the LES?
10-35 mmHg
Is GERD common?
Very, affects 20% of adults in Western culture
Are men or women more effected by GERD?
Similar prevalence
Do men or women tend to have higher complication rates from GERD?
Men
Incidence of GERD increases with what?
Age (after 40)
Some degree of reflux from GERD is what?
physiologic
What is pathological reflux with GERD associated with?
Symptoms of mucosal injury
How is GERD classified?
Based on appearance of esophageal mucosa on upper endoscopy
Presentation of erosive esophagitis?
Visible breaks in distal esophageal mucosa w/ or w/o troublesome symptoms
Presentation of non-erosive reflux disease (NERD)?
No visible esophageal mucosal injury w/ presence of troublesome symptoms
Most common cause of GERD?
Transient relaxation of the LES
How can hiatal hernias cause GERD?
The LES can be displaced above the diaphragm resulting in LES dysfunction
How can obesity cause GERD?
Increased intra-abdominal pressure
How does delayed gastric emptying cause GERD?
Contents remain in stomach longer due to gastroparesis or partial gastric outlet obstruction
Which meds can cause GERD?
Anticholinergics, nitrates, CCBs, TCAs (tricyclic antidepressants), opioids, estrogen therapy, oral radiation therapy
Which medical conditions can cause GERD?
Scleroderma, Sjogren’s syndrome, pregnancy
Most common clinical manifestation of GERD?
Heartburn (pyrosis) - postprandial, retrosternal, worsens in supine, relieved w/ antacids
Other clinical manifestations of GERD?
Regurgitation w/ cough, sore throat, sour taste in mouth
Atypical sx: hoarseness, chest pain, wheezing, globus sensation, enamel erosion
What must be ruled out in patients with atypical symptoms before diagnosing GERD?
Other disorders
Alarming symptoms with GERD?
Dysphagia, odynophagia, unexplained wt. loss, evidence of GI bleed, GI cancer in 1st degree relative, persistent vomiting, anorexia, new dyspepsia in >60 y/o, IDA (iron deficiency anemia)
When is GERD a clinical dx?
If simple, classic sx without any alarming red flags
When does GERD require further workup prior to dx?
Atypical/alarming sx
First line diagnostic test for persistent or alarming sx or complications w/ GERD?
Upper endoscopy w/ biopsy
Gold standard test for confirmation of GERD w/ atypical or persistent symptoms, or to monitor adequacy of tx?
24-hr ambulatory pH monitoring
(not necessary in pts w/ typical presentation & satisfactory tx response)
What does 24-hr ambulatory pH monitoring measure?
Amount of esophageal acid reflux
What test measures the pressure generated within the esophagus with swallowing?
Esophageal manometry
When is esophageal manometry useful?
-In pts with signs/sx of GERD that have normal endoscopy to rule out an esophageal motility disorder
-Prior to anti-reflux surgery to evaluate peristaltic function
-Ensuring ambulatory pH probes are placed correctly
Can esophageal manometry diagnose GERD?
No
Goal of GERD treatment?
Provide sx relief, heal esophagitis (if present), prevent complications
What is recommended for all patients with GERD?
Lifestyle/dietary modifications
How long should GERD patients keep their head elevated/avoid laying down after eating?
3 hours
Patients should avoid what kind of meals with GERD?
Late meals, trigger foods
What kind of garments should be avoided in GERD patients?
Tight fitting
How to promote salivation in GERD? What is the purpose of salivation?
Gum, lozenges
*helps neutralize refluxed acid/inc. rate of esophageal acid clearance
Which medication for mild/intermittent symptoms of GERD (<2 episodes/week), and without erosion/Barrett’s?
Histamine 2 Receptor Antagonists (H2RA): Cimetidine, Famotidine, Nizatidine
Dosing of H2RAs for mild/intermittent GERD?
Start at low dose PRN, increase to standard BID dose if symptoms persist for minimum of 2 weeks
*concomitant antacids PRN can be used if sx occur <1x/week
If GERD symptoms continue even after increasing H2RA dose, discontinue and start which medication?
Once daily PPI at low-dose
If required for sx control –> inc. to standard dose
*once sx controlled, continue for at least 8 weeks
Which medication for moderate/severe symptoms of GERD (> or = 2 episodes/week), or if erosion/Barrett’s present?
PPIs (pantoprazole, omeprazole, esomeprazole, lansoprazole, dexlansoprazole)
*standard dose once daily as initial therapy
Which treatment is suggested for those refractory to GERD medical therapy?
Surgical therapy w/ Nissen fundoplication (laparoscopic procedure to reinforce LES - fundus wrapped and sutured around back side of esophagus)
Other indications for Nissen fundoplication surgical therapy?
Hiatal hernia, GERD complications, noncompliant w/ meds, extra-esophageal symptoms
When should a patient with GERD be referred to a specialist?
-Typical/atypical GERD symptoms refractory to med therapy
-Alarming sx (significant dysphagia)
-Barrett’s esophagus/suspicion w/ dysphagia or early muscoal cancer
-Needing upper GI endoscopy
-Considering for surgical fundoplication
Possible complications of GERD?
Esophagitis, strictures, Barrett’s esophagus, esophageal adenocarcinoma
What is Barrett’s esophagus?
Esophageal squamous epithelium is replaced by precancerous columnar cells from the cardia of the stomach
What is Barrett’s esophagus a complication of?
Longstanding GERD
Which patients are commonly effected by Barrett’s esophagus?
Middle aged white males
What the presentation of Barrett’s esophagus similar to?
GERD
Diagnostic test for Barrett’s esophagus?
Upper endoscopy w/ biopsy
Treatment for Barrett’s esophagus is based on what?
Biopsy results
(often includes long-term PPI for GERD control)
Treatment for Barrett’s esophagus with biopsy findings of metaplasia (Barrett’s esophagus only)?
PPIs and surveillance (rescope w/ biopsy every 3-5 years)
Treatment for Barrett’s esophagus with biopsy findings of low grade dysplasia?
PPIs and surveillance (rescope w/ biopsy every 6-12 months), or endoscopic ablation
Treatment for Barrett’s esophagus with biopsy findings of high grade dysplasia?
Ablation w/ endoscopy, photodynamic therapy, endoscopic mucosal resection, radiofrequency ablation
How are gastritis and gastropathy differentiated?
Based on histological evidence of the presence or absence of mucosal inflammation due to gastric injury
What is Gastritis?
Superficial inflammation or irritation of the stomach mucosa with mucosal injury
What is Gastropathy?
Mucosal injury without evidence of inflammation
What mechanism causes gastritis/gastropathy?
Imbalance between aggressive and protective mechanisms of the gastric mucosa
Is Gastritis erosive or non-erosive?
Non-erosive
Is Gastropathy erosive or non-erosive?
Erosive: superficial, deep, or hemorrhagic erosions
Common causes of Gastropathy?
NSAIDs, ETOH, acute medical stress, portal HTN
Most common cause, and second most common cause of Gastritis?
MC: H. pylori
2nd MC: NSAIDs, Aspirin
Other causes of Gastritis?
Heavy ETOH, med conditions (portal HTN, pernicious anemia, bile reflux, ischemia, acute stress in critically ill pts, radiation, idiopathic, corrosives
Are most patients with Gastritis symptomatic?
No, most commonly asymptomatic
If patients are symptomatic for Gastritis, how would they present?
Similar to peptic ulcer disease: dyspepsia, gnawing/burning epigastric pain, N/V, signs of upper GI bleed if erosive gastritis (hematemesis, “coffee ground” emesis, melena)
What should be included in the physical exam for Gastritis?
Rectal exam for hemoccult testing
What diagnostic test establishes the diagnosis of gastritis?
Upper endoscopy with biopsy
What can be seen on an upper endoscopy for gastritis?
Thick, erythematous, mucosal erosions
What pathogen should be tested for with gastritis?
H. pylori
H. pylori tests for gastritis?
Urea breath test, H. pylori stool antigen (HpSA), serologic antibodies
What should be held for 1-2 weeks prior to gastritis H. pylori testing?
PPIs - can decrease sensitivity of tests
What test assesses for anemia or if bleeding is present with gastritis?
CBC
What other diagnostic tests should be ordered for gastritis?
LFTs, CMP, stool for blood
Management of gastritis?
Tx underlying cause, D/C offender (ex. NSAIDs), eradicate H. pylori
Treatments for gastritis is similar to what?
Tx for peptic ulcer disease
Treatments for gastritis?
-Acid suppression: H2RA or PPIs
-Hydration& electrolytes if persistent vomiting/dehydration