Crohn's Flashcards
what is the definition of Crohn’s?
Crohn’s disease (CD) is a disorder of unknown aetiology characterised by transmural inflammation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
what is the epidemiology of CD?
Small peak at 50-60 years old
More common in industrialised world
what is the aetiology of CD?
unclear
what are the risk factors for CD?
White
15-40 or 50-60 yrs
Family history
Smoking, refined sugar, low fibre diet, oral contraceptive pill, not breastfed, NSAIDs
what is the pathophysiology of CD?
Current theories regarding the pathophysiology of CD indicate a role for infectious, immunological, environmental, dietary, and psychosocial factors in a genetically and immunologically susceptible individual
what are the key presentations of CD?
Presence of risk factors
Abdominal pain
Prolonged diarrhoea
Perianal lesions
what are the signs of CD?
Presence of risk factors
Abdominal tenderness
what are the symptoms of CD?
Abdo pain Diarrhoea Bowel obstruction Blood in stool Fever Fatigue Weight loss Abdominal mass
what are the first line and gold standard investigations for CD?
FBC - anaemia, leukocytosis, thrombocytosis Iron studies Serum vitamin B12 Serum folate CmP CRPP RSE Stool testing Yersinia enterocolitica serology endoscopy - GOLD STANDARD Plain abdo x ray MRI abdo CT abdo
what are the differential diagnoses for CD?
UC
Infectious colitis
Pseudomembranous colitis
how is CD managed?
Observation and monitoring
Management of extra-intestinal manifestations
how is CD monitored?
Patients with CD should be seen by a gastroenterologist on a routine basis to monitor for complications and flares of the disease and adjust treatment accordingly.
what are the complications of CD?
Intestinal obstruction Compilations on pregnancy Intra Abdominal sepsis Sinuses Toxic megacolon Anaemia Short bowel syndrome Malignancy Kidney stones
what is the prognosis of CD?
CD is a chronic disease with variable frequency of relapses and multiple possible complications. However, appropriate medical and surgical management may enable patients to have a reasonable quality of life
