Malabsorption

Question 1

What is coeliac disease?

Answer 1

autoimmune disease caused by the exposure to gluten and it’s breakdown products

Question 2

What are the GI manifestations of coeliac disease?

Answer 2

• chronic + recurring diarrhoea
• steatorrhea
• bloating
• flatulence
• pain

Question 3

How does coeliac disease manifest in children?

Answer 3

• failure to thrive

- puberty delay

Question 4

Skin, neuro and other autoimmune manifestations of coeliac disease?

Answer 4

• dermatitis herpatiformis
• peripheral neuropathy
• T1DM

Question 5

What anti-bodies do you look for in coeliac disease?

Answer 5

• Anti-tissue transglutaminase
• anti-endomysial antibody
• anti-deamidated gliandin antibody

Question 6

What other important investigation should you perform in suspected coeliac disease cases?

Answer 6

• endoscopy with biopsy of the small bowel

- findings - cyrpt hyperplasia and villous atrophy

Question 7

What are 3 causes of pancreatic insufficiency?

Answer 7

• CF
• chronic pancreatitis
• pancreatic obstruction (Ca)

Question 8

What findings in a stool sample would make you think of pancreatic insufficiency?

Answer 8

low elastase

Question 9

what is the treatment for pancreatic insufficiency?

Answer 9

PERT

pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy