IBD, IBS and Coeliac disease [completed] Flashcards

1
Q

Describe how IBS may present.

A

Abdominal pain
Bloating
Change in bowel habit

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2
Q

How long must someone have had symptoms for for IBS to be considered?

A

6 months

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3
Q

What are some symptoms of IBS related to defecation?

A

Altered stool passage : diarrhoea an constipation

Symptoms worsened by eating

Rectal mucus

FRESH blood on tissue after constipation

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4
Q

What must be ruled out when diagnosing IBS and how?

A

Other conditions through blood tests
FBC, ESR, CRP should be normal and negative antibodies

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5
Q

What should be done if a person presents with black tarry stools?

A

Refer

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6
Q

What other symptoms (not related to stool or defecation) may a person with IBS present with?

A

Lethargy, nausea, back, pain, headache and bladder issues

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7
Q

What causes IBS?

A

May have an inflammatory cause but usually difficult to identify - could be due to stress, lifestyle etc

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8
Q

What dietary advice should be given to people with IBS?

A

Have regular meals and do not eat too fast

Drink at least 8 cups of water per day (avoid caffeinated drinks)

Reduce alcohol and fizzy drinks

Do not have more than three cups of tea or coffee a day

Limit the intake of high fibre food such as wholemeal bread, cereals and wholegrains such as brown rice)

Only up to 3 portions of fresh fruit a day

Avoid sorbitol

Eating oats may help with wind and bloating

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9
Q

Should people with IBS be encouraged to have soluble or insoluble fibre?

A

Soluble fibre - ispaghula husk, oats etc

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10
Q

what is the aim of pharmacological treatment when treating IBS?

A

Managing symptoms to make patient more comfortable and improve quality of life.
NOT TREATING CAUSE

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11
Q

What is the first pharmacological treatment for IBS?

A

single or combination medication depending on symptoms

Antispasmodics if there is abdominal cramps
Bulkforming laxatives for constipation
Antimotility agent for diarrhoea

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12
Q

What are some antispasmodics that can be used to treat abdominal cramp in IBS?

A

Hyoscine (buscopan)
Peppermint oil (calms system afterwards)
Mebeverine
Alverine

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13
Q

What laxative may be offered in treated constipation due to IBS?

A

Bulk forming laxatives (Ispaghula husk)
Macrogols (osmotic)

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14
Q

Which laxative should not be offered in IBS and why?

A

Lactulose - can cause further flatulence and bloating as a side effect

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15
Q

What is the first choice of anti motility agent for diarrhoea in IBS?

A

loperamide

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16
Q

Why can bulk forming laxatives also be used to treat diarrhoea in IBS?

A

They add bulk and improve consistency of the stool

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17
Q

What is the aim of using laxatives and anti motility agents?

A

A soft, well formed stool

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18
Q

What is coeliac disease?

A

Autoimmune condition.
Immune response is in response to gluten.
Causes damage to lining of the small intestine - villous atrophy.

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19
Q

What is the prevalence of coeliac disease in the UK?

A

1 in 100

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20
Q

Who is coeliac disease more common in?

A

Females
People with a first degree relative who have coeliac disease
People with other autoimmune conditions such as diabetes or thyroid disease

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21
Q

What can happen if a person is not diagnosed with coeliac disease?

A

continuous exposure to gluten –> more inflammation and damage —> body constantly trying to repair –> risk of mutations –> cancer

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22
Q

What is villous atrophy?

A

reduction in surface area of the villi. cells are unhealthy and undiferrentiated. Can lead to malabsorption, weight loss and fatigue

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23
Q

What are signs and symptoms that someone may have coeliac disease?

A

Persisent unexplained GI symptoms : indigestion, diarrhoea, steatorrhoea, bloating, constipation, IBS

Fatigue
Unexplained weight loss
severe or persistant mouth ulcers

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24
Q

How can coeliac disease be diagnosed?

A

Patient can buy test or go to doctor?

Should maintain a NORMAL diet without cutting out gluten and do the blood test

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25
Q

What would be a positive test result for coeliac disease?

A

Elevated total IgA
Elevated IgATGA

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26
Q

What would a histological examination of a person with coeliac disease show?

A

villous atrophy

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27
Q

Why does the patient need to NOT cut out gluten when testing for coeliac disease?

A

No gluten = less/no IgA in blood and gut may recover
Gluten is cut out of diet AFTER diagnosis is confirmed.

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28
Q

What are some complications of coeliac disease?

A

Anaemia
Osteoporosis (malabsorption of calcium and vitamin D)
Dermatitis herpetiformis
Autoimmune thyroid and liver disorders

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29
Q

What is dermatitis herpetiformis?

A

Severe skin reaction where patient experiences red raised batches and blisters in the flexures (elbows, knees, buttocks) but can occur in other area

30
Q

Which age group is dermatitis herpetiformis most common in?

A

Age 50-69

31
Q

Is symmetry likely with dermatitis herpetiformis?

A

Yes as it is has an immunological cause

32
Q

What is the only effective treatment for coeliac disease?

A

long term adherence to a gluten free diet

33
Q

What are some foods that should be avoided by patients with coeliac disease?

A

Wheat based foods - bread, flour, cakes, pastries (also includes semolina, spelt flour etc)
Foods that could be contaminated with gluten (during packaging or cooking) such as chips fried in the same oil as battered fish
Items that contain malt such as beer

34
Q

Can people with coeliac disease eat oats?

A

Yes if they are pure and uncontaminated but could contain trace amounts of gluten so be careful

35
Q

What is some advice that can be given to people with coeliac disease?

A

Check food labels
Avoiding contamination in the home - e.g. using the same utensils

36
Q

Are gluten free products available on the NHS?

A

Yes but not as much anymore because there is an increase of gluten free products available in supermarkets

37
Q

What are the two types of IBD?

A

Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease

38
Q

What is ulcerative colitis?

A

Autoimmune condition of the MUCOSA OF COLON

39
Q

Is inflammation in colitis continuous or patchy?

A

CONTINUOUS

40
Q

What are the three main types of colitis?

A

Extensive colitis (also called total or pancolitis)
Distal colitis - affect left side of colon and rectum
Proctitis - affects the rectum

41
Q

What would histological examination show in ulcerative colitis?

A

Inflammation of the MUCOSA IN THE COLON only - continuous inflammation NOT patchy

42
Q

What would blood tests in ulcerative colitis show?

A

ELEVATED CRP AND ESR
IgA and IgAtTGA are NEGATIVE
Low Hb

43
Q

What is Crohn’s Disease?

A

Autoimmune condition causing inflammation of the full thickness of the colon BUT can also affect the entire alimentary canal from mouth to anus

44
Q

Is Crohn’s disease continuous or patchy?

A

Patchy

45
Q

What is a fistula and which IBD is it common in?

A

An abnormal connection between two parts of the colon - common in Crohn’s disease

46
Q

When does IBD usually present?

A

adolescent to late 20s

47
Q

What are some risk factors for IBD?

A

Family history
Appendectomy
NSAID use
Oral contraception
Bad case of food poisoning could trigger symptoms

48
Q

What effect does smoking have on the risk of developing ulcerative colitis?

A

Smokers are less likely to develop ulcerative colitis

49
Q

What management may be needed in IBD?

A

Inducing remission - acute episode
Maintaining remission
Nutrition - supplement for malabsorption
Pain relief (paracetamol)
Constipation (lifestyle and laxatives)
Diarrhoea - antispasmodics/ anti-motility/ bulk-forming laxatives
Fatigue due to malabsorption
Dyspepsia
Fistulas - surgery

50
Q

What drug should not be used in ulcerative colitis but CAN be used in Crohn’s?

A

Anti-motility drugs such a Loperamide - can cause toxic megacolon

51
Q

What is the first line treatment for Crohn’s disease to induce remission?

A

Prednisolone, methylprednisolone or IV hydrocortisone

2nd line is budesonide or 5-ASA

52
Q

What two medications contain 5-ASA and what is important when prescribing them?

A

Mesalazine and Sulfasalazine - need to be prescribed by brand

53
Q

What is the first line ADD ON treatment for inducing remission in Crohn’s

A

Aziathioprine

54
Q

What is the second line ADD ON therapy for inducing remission in Crohn’s

A

Methotrexate

55
Q

What biological treatment may be used to treat Crohn’s?

A

Infliximab
Adalimumab

56
Q

What is first line in maintaining remission in Crohn’s?

A

Azathioprine or mercaptopurine as monotherapy

57
Q

What is second line in maintaining remission in Crohn’s?

A

methotrexate

58
Q

What is ulcerative colitis treatment based on?

A

Severity and location

59
Q

What is severity of first bout/exacerbations UC decided with?

A

Truelove and Witts’ severity index. Looks at:
Daily number of bowel movements
Amount of blood in stool
Pyrexia
Pulse over 90 bpm (severe)
Anaemia (severe)
ESR (above 30 - severe)

60
Q

Acute treatment for mild to moderate proctitis?

A

Topical 5-ASA if no remission within 4 weeks add oral 5-ASA or oral/topical steroid.
2nd line: topical corticosteroid or oral prednisolone

61
Q

Acute treatment for proctosigmoiditis and left sided ulcerative colitis: mild to moderate?

A

Topical 5-ASA if no remission within 4 weeks add high dose oral 5-ASA +/- topical/oral steroid
Second line: topical corticosteroid or oral prednisolone

62
Q

Acute treatment for extensive ulcerative colitis: mild to moderate.

A

Topical 5-ASA AND HIGH DOSE oral 5-ASA. If remission not achieved with 4 weeks STOP topical 5-ASA and give ORAL steroid with HIGH DOSE ORAL 5-ASA

2nd line: Oral prednisolone

63
Q

What further treatments may be needed in moderate to severe UC?

A

Immunotherapy and biologics: Tafcitnib, Vedolizumab, Infliximab, adalimumab, golimumab

64
Q

What is the treatment for acute severe UC (after hospital admission)

A

First line: IV corticosteroids and assess if person needs surgery
Second line: IV ciclosporin OR surgery

If no improvement after 72 hours add IV ciclosporin to corticosteroids OR surgery

65
Q

What is the maintenance treatment for proctitis or proctosigmoiditis?

A

Topical 5-ASA alone or with oral 5-ASA.
May give oral 5-ASA alone.
Daily or intermittent treatment

66
Q

What is the maintenance treatment for left sided and extensive UC?

A

Low maintenance oral 5-ASA

67
Q

What is the maintenance treatment for all extents of UC?

A

1st line: oral azathioprine or oral mercaptopurine
2nd line: oral 5-ASA

68
Q

What should be assessed before offering azathioprine or mercaptopurine treatment?

A

TPMT activity - do not offer if TPMT deficient. If TPMT below normal but NOT deficient consider lowering dose

69
Q

What topical preparation is used in proctitis?

A

Suppository

70
Q

What topical preparation is used in proctosigmoiditis (sigmoid is where descending colon joins to rectum)?

A

Foam

71
Q

What topical preparation is used in distal (left sided) colitis?

A

Enema