Malabsorption

Question 1

what is malabsorption

Answer 1

Malabsorption is difficulty in the digestion or absorption of nutrients from food

Question 2

what acquired condition can cause malabsorption

Answer 2

tropical sprue due to bacterial/ infectious aetiology

Question 3

what conditions can cause malabsorption

Answer 3

Cystic fibrosis,

Chronic pancreatitis.

Lactose intolerance.

Celiac disease.

Whipple disease.

Shwachman-Diamond syndrome (a genetic disease affecting the pancreas and bone marrow)

Cow’s milk protein intolerance.

Question 4

summarise aetiology of malabsorption

Answer 4

Having a weak gut lining, food allergies, microbiome imbalances such as bacterial overgrowth, damage to the intestines from infection, surgery, pancreatic insufficiency, autoimmune disease

Question 5

what can malabsorption lead to

Answer 5

unplanned weight loss, a low body mass index (BMI) and vitamin and mineral deficiencies

Question 6

link between diabetes and malabsorption

Answer 6

malabsorption can lead to insulin resistance and therefore increase the risk of developing T2DM

Question 7

presenting symptoms and signs of malabsorption

Answer 7

fatigue, anaemia, weight loss, nausea,

diarrhoea,

bloating and stomach cramping

steatorrhoea,

hair loss,

oedema,

pallor

pain

Question 8

investigations to do for malabsorption

Answer 8

FBC,

faecal fat assay,

serum B12 and folate,

Question 9

treatment

Answer 9

You may be put on a special diet of foods that are more easily digested and absorbed. You may also be given supplements to make up for nutrients that aren’t being absorbed well

FOLIC ACID AND B12 SUPPLEMENTS PLUS ANTIBIOTICS (if due to tropical sprue- malabsorption due to bacterial infection)

Question 10

further management of malabsorption

Answer 10

Iron or folate supplements can help correct anemia if it occurs.

Vitamin D, calcium, and magnesium may be necessary to balance calcium levels.

Vitamin K can correct coagulopathy, or the correct clotting of the blood.