Digestive conditions

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Unit 590

January 2022

Digestive conditions

This edition of check focuses on digestive conditions in general practice.

Digestive issues consistently remain among the top 10 most common presentations to general practice, according to a survey of Australian general practitioners.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common digestive condition; the prevalence of IBS in Australia is estimated to be between 4.4% and 13%.

An increase in metabolic syndrome in Australia correlates with an increase in metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). The prevalence of MAFLD is currently approximately 22%.

The incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in Australia is one of the highest in the world, with approximately 75,000 Australians living with IBD. The prevalence of Crohn’s disease is estimated to be 306 per 100,000 people.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this activity, participants will be able to:
  • outline the diagnoses that must be ruled out in a patient presenting with symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome
  • discuss dietary approaches that may benefit patients with metabolic associated fatty liver disease
  • describe the potential long-term complications of Crohn’s disease.

Case studies

Below is a list of the case studies found in this month's edition of check. To see how these case studies unfold and gain valuable insights into this months topic, log into gplearning to complete the course.

Aarti, aged 63 years, presents with right lower quadrant abdominal pain. Aarti is well known to you; her abdominal pain has been intermittent for the past year with periods of reprieve, but she has had similar episodes in the previous 20 years. She has been experiencing predominantly constipation with occasional diarrhoea. After meals, she feels bloated. Aarti reports no rectal or vaginal bleeding and has been postmenopausal for 15 years.

Niamh, aged 61 years, is a new patient, having just moved to your area. She is seeing you to follow up tests requested by her previous general practitioner (GP). Niamh saw her previous GP a couple of weeks ago regarding right upper quadrant abdominal pain, which has now settled. Her GP ordered blood tests and abdominal ultrasonography. Niamh had the blood tests but has not yet had abdominal ultrasonography. Her GP gave her a copy of her results to be followed up by her new GP.

The results for the full blood examination and urea, electrolytes and creatinine are within reference ranges

Ben, aged 29 years, is a retail manager who presents with increased bowel frequency, altered stool consistency and urgency for a period of two months. Instead of a single daily bowel action, he has been having to use his bowel up to five times a day. He does not report any blood but mentions that he has noticed mucus in the stool. Ben has tried eliminating wheat and dairy products, but this has not improved his symptoms. He is not a heavy alcohol consumer, and his weight is normal.

CPD

This unit of check is approved for 6 hours of CPD activity (two hours per case). The 6 hours, when completed, including the online questions, comprise five hours’ 鲍鱼视频al Activities and five hours’ Reviewing Performance.

鲍鱼视频al
Activities
3
hours
Measuring
Outcomes
0
hours
Reviewing
Performance
3
hours

Complete check online

To enroll in this check unit online: 

  1. Log into  home page
  2. Select 'Browse' and search for 383752
  3. Select the course and register

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TOPICS

Gastrointestinal health

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