Crohn's disease

• What are some risk factors for developing Crohn's?

  Genetics

  Environmental factors - Smoking, diet, NSAIDs

  Infections

  Dysbiosis
• What is dysbiosis?

  Imbalance in gut microbiota
• What are some GI manifestations of Crohn's?

  Abdo pain

  Diarrhoea

  Weight loss

  Fistulas

  Abscesses

  Mouth ulcers

  Strictures
• What are some extraintestinal manifestations of Crohn's?

  Arthritis

  Erythema nodosum

  Uveitis

  Anaemia
• What are some bloods done for Crohn's?

  FBC

  CRP

  B12 and folate

  ASCA and pANCA (differentiate between UC)
• What stool test is done for Crohn's and why?

  Faecal calprotectin

  Why: Differentiate between IBD and infectious/non-inflam causes of diarrhoea
• What are some colonoscopic findings for Crohn's?

  Aphthous ulcers

  Cobblestone mucosa

  Skip lesions
• What are some imaging techniques used to diagnose Crohn's?

  Colonoscopy

  MRI/CT (MRI is preferred)

  Small bowel follow-through

  Bowel USS
• What are some histopathological findings for Crohn's?

  Non-caseating granulomas

  Transmural inflammation

  Increased goblet cells
• How is remission induced in Crohn's?

  Glucocorticoids (first line)

  Enteral feeding
• What effect does smoking have on Crohn's?

  Worsens it
• How is remission maintained in Crohn's?

  Stop smoking (priority)

  Azathioprine or mercaptopurine (first line drugs)