GI 4 Flashcards
(102 cards)
How is ethanol metabolised?
Alcohol dehydrogenase changes it to acetaldehyde
Acetaldehyde dehydrogenase converts to acetate
What does ethanol lead to in biochemical terms?
Prevention of g6p to glucose, hypoglycaemia
Excess lipids
Excess pyruvic acid leading to excess lactic acid and acidosis
Excess acetyl CoA leading to ketosis
What diseases does alcohol lead to in the liver?
Steatosis (fatty liver)
Steatohepatitis (fatty liver with inflammation)
>Neutrophil infiltration
>Fibrosis and cirrhosis (build up of scar tissue)
>Gentically susceptible to – fat deposited scars liver
What is the clinical picture with excessive alcohol?
Majority none until advanced liver disease
Signs of chronic liver disease –
> spider naevi, palmar erythema, gynecomastia, loss of axillary and pubic hair, ascites, encephalopathy
Jaundice
Muscle wasting
What tests confirm alcoholic liver disease?
Aspartate Amino Transferase (AAT) > alanine Amino Transferase (ALT). Ratio >2
Raised Gamma Glutamyl Transferase (aso raised in other diseases)
Macrocytosis
Thrombocytopenia (low platelets)
What can trigger hepatic encephalopathy?
Infection Drugs Constipation GI bleed Electrolyte disturbance (Try to exclude infection, hypoglycaemia and intracranial bleeds) (Overload of toxins)
How do you treat hepatic encephalopathy?
Clear out bowel – lactulose (keeps bowel moving) or enemas Antibiotics Supportive – ITU, airway support Nasogastric tube for meds Clear toxins – NH3 decrease – wake up
What is the clinical picture of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis?
Abdominal Pain
Fever, Rigors
Renal impairment
Signs of Sepsis, tachycardia, temperature
How do you diagnose SBP?
Ascitic tap >Fluid protein and glucose levels >Cultures >White cell content Neutrophil count >0.25x109 /L Protien <25g/L Exclude surgical causes
How do you treat SBP?
IV antibiotics
Ascitic fluid drainage
IV albumin infusion (20% ALBA)
How does alcoholic hepatitis present?
Jaundice
Encephalopathy
Infection common
Decompensated hepatic function – low albumin and raised prothrombin time/ INR
What is the prognosis of alcoholic hepatitis?
Dependent on abstinence or ongoing alcohol consumption
Any sign of decompensating liver disease – 70% mortality 5yrs
Present with encephalopathy – 64% 1yr mortality
How do you diagnose alcoholic hepatitis?
Raised bilirubin
Raised GGT and AlkP
Alcohol histry
Exclude other causes
How do you treat alcoholic hepatitis?
Supportive
Nutritional
Treat infection, encephalopathy + alcohol withdrawl
Protect against GI bleeds
Airway protection – ITU care
Some get better as liver regenerates
Steroids -only if grading severe (Glasgow alcoholic hepatits – only if less than 9)
How many people with alcoholic hepatits are malnourished?
100% malnourished, 33% severely
– survival 15%, 70% if well nourished)
– high energy requirements
>Low thiamine leads to permanent brain damage
What are the two types of fatty liver?
Steatosis (fatty liver, non alcoholic – NAFLD)
Steatohepatitis ( non alcoholic steatohepatits (NASH))
What are the tisk factors of fatty liver?
Obesity Diabetes Hypercholesterolaemia Alcohol 25-40% of population (due to living longer + inc. incidence of diabetes)
What is steatohepatitis?
Fat + inflammation in liver Histoligically similar to alcohol induced damage ¼ develop cirrhosis Often asymptomatic Raised alanine amino transferase Fatty liver on USS Liver biopsy Treatment – weight loss, exercise
What are the symptoms of oesophageal disease?
Retrosternal discomfort/burning
>May be associated with waterbrash, cough
Heartburn (dyspepsia)
Dysphagia /odynophagia (pain whilst swallowing, may accompany dysphagia)
What can cause heartburn(dyspepsia)?
Reflux occurs physiologically (like after swallowing)
Certain drugs/foods (e.g alcohol, nicotine, dietary xanthines) reduce LOS pressure, resulting in increased heartburn
>Persistent reflux leads to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD) and leads to long-term complications
What questions are pertinent in dysphagia history?
Type of food (solid vs liquid) Pattern? Progressive, intermittent Associated features (weight loss, regurgitation, cough) Location – oropharangeal, oesophageal?
What are the causes of oesophageal dysphagia?
Benign stricture Malignant stricture Motility disorders (e.g. achalasia, presbyoesophagus) Oesinophillic oesophagitis Extrinsic compression (eg lung cancer)
What investigations can be done into dysphagia?
Endoscopy (oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopy (OGD), Upper GI, (UGIE)) Contrast radiology (barium swallow – now reserved only if needed) Oesophageal pH and manometry
What are the three most common motility disorders?
Hypermotility
Hypomotility
Achalasia