Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBS) – ulcerative colitis Flashcards
1
Q
What is the definition of ulcerative colitis?
A
Relapsing and remitting inflammation of the GI tract affecting the colon only
2
Q
What is the prevalence of ulcerative colitis?
A
Prevalence of 80-150/100,000
3
Q
Explain the pathology of ulcerative colitis.
A
- Inappropriate response from intestinal immune system to luminal antigens
- Psuedopolyps maybe present
- Mucosal ulcers – doesn’t normally extend fully through the wall
- Crypt absesses
- Reduced goblet cells
4
Q
What are the risk factors/aetiology of ulcerative colitis?
A
- Jewish
- Family history
- NSAIDs
- Stress
- Not having a appendicectomy
5
Q
What are the signs/symptoms of ulcerative colitis?
A
- Chronic diarrhea
- Bloody/mucus stools
- Abdominal pain
- Distended abdomen
- Malnourishment
- Tachycaridia
- Fever
- Malaise
- Anorexia/ Weight loss
- Clubbing
- Aphthous oral ulcers
- Erythema nodosum
- Athropathy
- Liver problems – fatty liver, hepatitis, gallstones
6
Q
What are diseases that ulcerative colitis can present similarly to?
A
- Crohns disease
- Megaloblastic anaemia
- Malnourishment
- Gastroenteritis – C.diff, parasite
- Irritable bowel disease
- Iliocolonic TB
- Lymphomas in colon
7
Q
What investigations are conducted for suspected ulcerative colitis?
A
- White cell/platelet count = ↑
- Hb = ↓
- ESR/CPR = ↑
- Colonoscopy
- Abdo x-ray – for acute attacks
- Ultrasound – if free fluid is suspected
8
Q
What are the surgical treatments for ulcerative colitis?
A
- Colectomy
* Colostomy/ileostomy
9
Q
What are the pharmacological treatments for ulcerative colitis?
A
- 5-ASA
- Aminosalicylates suppositories/enema/oral – sulfasalazine
- Steroid – if severe i.e. prednisolone
- Anti-TNF - infliximab
10
Q
What are the non pharmacological treatments for ulcerative colitis?
A
• Low fat and linoleic content for 28 days
