Name: Freya Lodge

Theme: Malabsorption

 

OPTION LIST

 

A

Iron-deficiency anaemia

I

Gastric Lymphoma

B

Gastrin

J

Anorexia Nervosa

C

Vitamin D deficiency

K

Nicotinic Acid

D

Crohn’s Disease

L

Pellagra

E

Bullimia Nervosa

M

Acute Pancreatitis

F

Alcoholism

N

Tropical Sprue

G

Intrinsic factor

O

 

H

Haemochromatosis

P

 

 

For each scenario below, choose the most appropriate answer from the list above. Each option may be used once, more than once or not at all.

 

1. A 57-year-old Irish lady visits her GP complaining of feeling bloated and lethargic, with abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting associated with eating. She had recently been on the Atkins Diet, when her symptoms improved, but she suffered a relapse after returning to her normal diet. The GP noted a blistering rash on the patient’s elbows and knees. What disease is she at increased risk of developing?

 

2.  A 64-year-old man with vitiligo presents to his GP with tiredness and shortness of breath on exertion. He has also noticed that his tongue is red and sore. On further questioning, he admits to having had diarrhoea and weight loss over several months. Blood tests reveal a macrocytic anaemia with hypersegmented polymorphs. A deficiency in what substance is causing his symptoms?

 

3. A 32-year-old woman is seen at an outpatients’ clinic complaining of a three month history of abdominal pain and diarrhoea. She says that she has lost around a stone in three months and is constantly tired with pain in her joints. Examination demonstrates abdominal tenderness, conjunctivitis and aphthous ulcers. What is the likely diagnosis?

 

4. A slight, pale 20-year-old student, BMI 17, attends A&E after collapsing in the street. She complains of tiredness and fainting. She admits to amenorrhoea and says that she has been feeling very stressed with exams. Blood tests reveal a microcytic anaemia and a potassium of 2.6 mmol/l. What condition is most likely?

 

5. A 52-year-old publican, who was diagnosed with diabetes 6 months previously, attends his diabetic clinic complaining of pain in his epigastrium that radiates through to his back, fatty diarrhoea and weight loss of around 2 stones in four months. He also adds that he has been feeling very tired and has had pain in his knee and hip joints for several months. The SHO noted a slate-grey colouration to his skin and hepatomegaly to two fingers’ width. What is the underlying cause of his problems?

 

 

 

ANSWERS

1.  I

2. G

3. D

4. E

5. H