IBD 1 - Ulcerative Colitis Flashcards
(53 cards)
What are the main features of Crohn’s Disease? (4)
Involves distal ileum, proximal colon.
Can affect the entire digestive tract.
Inflammation can go through entire bowel wall thickness.
Thickening of the bowel wall
What are the main features of Ulcerative Colitis? (4)
Only the colon is affected.
Diffuse inflammation
Affects the colonic mucosa.
Cobblestoning structure
What are the s/s of IBD? (7)
Abdominal pain/cramping
Diarrhoea (+/- blood/mucus)
Urgency
Fever
Fatigue
Weight/Appetite loss
Mouth sores
What are the extra-intestinal manifestations of IBD? (6)
Skin, eye, joint and liver inflammation:
- Ankylosing Spondylitis (spine/hip joint)
- Arthritis
- Erythema Nodosum (skin flushing/shin tenderness)
- Pyoderma gangrenosum
- Uveitis (eye inflammation)
- Aphthous ulcers (painful open ulcers)
What are the potential complications of both CD + UC? (7)
High risk of colon cancer
Malnutrition
Anaemia
Risks associated with medication: Certain cancers, HPT, OP.
Blood clots
Primary sclerosing cholangitis
What are the potential complications of UC? (2)
Perforated colon
Toxic Megacolon
What are the potential complications of CD? (3)
Bowel wall Narrowing: Obstruction/Fistulas
Ulcers
Anal Fissures
What are the risk factors of IBD? (5)
Age
Family Hx
Infection
Smoking
Medication
What are the causes of IBD? (3)
Genetics
Environmental
Autoimmune
What investigations are carried out to diagnose IBD? (6)
Examination and Hx taking
Colonoscopy/sigmoidoscopy (Biopsy)
Stool cultures
Abdominal X-ray
Blood Tests (Anaemia/Inflammation)
Endoscopy
What are the differential diagnosis of IBD? (8)
Colorectal cancer
Other forms of IBD/colitis
Infection
Diverticular disease
IBS
Appendicitis
Ectopic pregnancy
PID.
When would steroids be used for IBD tx? (2)
Inducing remission.
Unsuitable for maintenance due to s/e.
What are the early effects of steroids? (5)
Acne
Oedema
Sleep + mood disturbances
Dyspepsia
Impaired glucose tolerance
What are the delayed effects of steroids? (5)
Cataracts
OP + Osteonecrosis
Myopathy
Infection susceptibility
Moon face
What are the glucocorticoid s/e of corticosteroids? (5)
Diabetes
OP
Myopathy (muscle wasting)
Peptic ulcers and perforation
Psychiatric reactions
What are the mineralcorticoid s/e of CS? (5)
HPT
Na retention
H2O retention
K loss
Ca loss
What hormones does the adrenal cortex secrete? (2)
Hydrocortisone (cortisol) which has glucocorticoid activity and weak mineralcorticoid activity.
Mineralcorticoid aldosterone.
Explain the effect of prolonged therapy with corticosteroids. (1)
Adrenal atrophy develops and can persist for years after stopping.
Explain the effect of acute withdrawal of prolonged therapy of corticosteroids. (1)
Can lead to acute adrenal insufficiency, hypotension or death.
How would you compensate for a diminished adrenocorticoid response caused by prolonged CS treatment, intercurrent illness, trauma or surgery? (2)
Temporarily increase CS dose OR
If already stopped, temporarily reintroduce CS treatment.
Explain how to avoid a fall in BP during anaesthesia. (1)
Anaesthetics should be informed whether a patient is or has been taking a CS.
What should every patient have if they are on long term CS treatment? (1)
Steroid card which contains warnings such as infections, chicken pox, measles and psychiatric reactions.
When would you consider a gradual withdrawal of corticosteroids? (5)
Received > 40mg of prednisone or equivalent for > 1 week.
Given repeated doses in the evening.
Received > 3 weeks tx.
Recently received repeated courses.
Taken a short course within 1 year of stopping long term therapy.
Explain why there’s a higher risk of patients of developing OP in IBD. (4)
Due to CS use also:
Lower BMI
Reduced physical activity
Disease activity