Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBS) – Crohns disease Flashcards
1
Q
What is the definition of Crohn’s disease?
A
Inflammation of the GI tract at any point from the mouth to the anus
2
Q
What is the prevalence of Crohn’s disease?
A
Prevalence of 25-100/100,000
3
Q
Explain the pathology of Crohn’s disease.
A
- Inappropriate response from intestinal immune system to luminal antigens
- Skip lesions
- Transmural granulomas
4
Q
What are the risk factors/aetiology for Crohn’s disease/
A
- Caucasian – esp. jewish
- Female
- Family history
- Smoking
- NSAIDs
- Living in an overly clean environment
- Stress
5
Q
What are the signs/symptoms of Crohn’s disease?
A
- Diarrhoea
- Rectal bleeding
- Abdo cramps
- Constipation
- Fever
- Lethargy
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite/weight
- Apthous ulceration of mouth
- Anal tags/fissures/perianal abcesses
6
Q
Which diseases is Crohn’s disease similar to?
A
- Ulcerative colitis
- Megaloblastic anaemia
- Malnourishment
- Gastroenteritis – C.diff, parasite
- Irritable bowel disease
- Iliocolonic TB
- Lymphomas in colon
7
Q
What investigations are carried out with suspected Crohn’s disease?
A
- FBC – normocytic anaemia, ↑ white cell count
- ESR/CRP
- Hypoalbuminaemia (if severe)
- Blood cultures – if septiceamia suspected/stool samples
- Colonoscopy/endoscopy
- CT/MRI/ultrasound of the small bowel
8
Q
What are the surgical treatments for Crohn’s disease?
A
- Strictureplasty – alleviate bowel narrowing due to scar tissue build up
- Colectomy
- Colostomy/ileostomy
9
Q
What are the pharmacological treatments for Crohn’s disease?
A
- Glucocorticosteroids
- Anti TNF antibodies i.e. infliximab
- Azathioprine/methotrexate
- Loperamide – diarrhoea
10
Q
What are the non- pharmacological treatments for Crohn’s disease?
A
- Nutritionally ‘complete’ feed
- Smoking cessation
- Low fat and linoleic content for 28 days
