Flashcards in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Deck (43)
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1
Inflammatory bowel disease mainly comprises of two idiopathic chronic inflammatory diseases - what are they?
Crohn's disease
Ulcerative colitis
2
Which 3 factors link together in the pathogenesis of IBD?
Genetic predisposition
Impaired mucosal immunity
Environmental triggers
3
There is a stronger genetic link in UC than Crohn's disease. True/False?
False
Stronger genetic link in Crohn's (36%) than UC (16%)
4
Which gene is susceptible to mutation which causes inflammatory bowel disease?
NOD2 (IBD-1) on chromosome 16
Encodes protein involved in bacterial recognition
5
Crohn's disease a TH1/TH2/TH1+TH2 mediated disease
TH1-mediated disease
6
UC is a TH1/TH2/TH1+TH2 mediated disease
(mixed) TH1 + TH2 -mediated disease
7
Smoking aggravates Crohn's disease + UC. True/False?
False
Aggravates Crohn's but no effect on/may even protect UC
8
Which age range is typical peak incidence of UC?
20-40s but variable
9
Where does the inflammation start in UC?
Rectum
10
Does UC produce skip lesions?
No
Continuous proximal inflammation from rectum to stop point
11
List typical symptoms of UC
Diarrhoea + bleeding
Increased bowel frequency
Urgency, tenesmus, incontinence
Night rising
Lower abdo pain (LIF)
12
Define severe UC
>6 bloody stools/day + 1 of:
Fever
Tachycardia
Anaemia
Elevated ESR
13
What is the classic sign of mucosal inflammation/oedema on an AXR?
Thumbprinting
14
How does toxic megacolon arise?
Persistent inflammation causes loss of muscle tone of the colon, resulting in distention
15
What are some extra-intestinal manifestations of UC?
Primary sclerosing cholangitis
Apthous ulcers
Erythema nodosum
Uveitis
16
Which age range is typical for Crohn's disease?
Young children to 40 year olds
17
The inflammation in Crohn's and UC is transmural, i.e. it breaches the mucosa and goes beyond muscle layer. True/False?
False
Inflammation in Crohn's is transmural; inflammation in UC is confined to mucosa/submucosa
18
Does Crohn's disease produce skip lesions?
Yes
Can affect anywhere from mouth to anus
19
Can fistulas occur in Crohn's and UC?
Yes
Leads to abscess formations, especially peri-anally
20
Symptoms of Crohn's disease are dependent on where the disease occurs. List some common symptoms
Abdominal cramps
Diarrhoea
Weight loss
Painful ulcers
Abscesses
21
How common is granuloma in Crohn's disease?
50% of patients
22
Where does Crohn's disease most commonly occur?
Terminal ileum
Colon
23
Fissures are associated with which IBD - Crohn's or UC?
Crohn's disease
Deep, knife-like fissures
24
List some complications of Crohn's disease
Malabsorption
Short bowel syndrome
Vitamin deficiencies, anaemia
Fistulas
25
What are the 4 treatments available (excluding surgery) for UC and Crohn's disease, in order of step-up therapy?
5-ASA (mesalazine - UC ONLY)
Steroids
Immunosuppression
Anti-TNF drugs
26
How can mesalazine be administered?
Orally
Topically as a rectal suppository/enema
27
What is the main action of mesalazine?
Anti-inflammatory
28
Mesalazine can be given in an oral form that is "pH-dependent" - what does this mean?
Only activates at a certain pH; in this case, would only activate in the presence of the pH of the colon
29
What is the advantage of a mesalazine topical enema over a suppository?
Enema extends action to sigmoid colon
30
