Malabsorption

Question 1

define malabsorption

Answer 1

defective mucosal absorption

Question 2

what is malabsorption caused by?

Answer 2

• defective luminal digestion
• mucosal disease
• structural disorders

Question 3

name the 4 malabsorbptive states

Answer 3

1. protein
2. fat
3. carbohydrate
4. vitamins and minerals

Question 4

what are the 2 types of protein malabsorption ?

Answer 4

digestive and absorptive

Question 5

what is digestive protein malabsorption?

Answer 5

• partial or total gastrectomy
• exocrine pancreatic insufficiency
• trypsinogen deficiency
• congential

Question 6

what is absorptive protein malabsorption?

Answer 6

• celiac disease and tropical sprue

Question 7

what are the 3 types of fat digestion and absorption malabsorption?

Answer 7

1. digestive (pancreas and liver)
2. absorptive (jejunal mucosa)
3. post absorptive (Lymphatics)

Question 8

when would you suspect malabsorption?

Answer 8

• in known disease states
• past medical history
• drugs, social, travel

Question 9

malabsorption symptoms?

Answer 9

• diarrhoea

Question 10

malabsorption signs?

Answer 10

• easy bruising
• acrodermatitis enteropathica
• dermatitis herpetiformis
• glossitis and angular stomatitis
• spooning of nails

Question 11

what are the baseline investigations?

Answer 11

• FBC
• coagulation
• albumin
• LFTs
• calcium/magnesium
• stool culture

Question 12

what are the anatomic investigations?

Answer 12

• endoscopy

- imaging

Question 13

what is the management?

Answer 13

• treat underlying cause
• replace deficiency
• support nutritionally