Obesity is a common condition caused by chronic positive energy balance. A body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2 is considered obese. Anthropometric measures Measure Significance BMI Common screening tool for overweight and obesity Waist circumference Best indicator of visceral fat and predictor of…
Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition characterised by villous atrophy and malabsorption, due to hypersensitivity to gluten in the small intestine. It peaks in childhood and between 50 and 60 years.
Malabsorption is the impaired absorption of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals from the gastrointestinal tract. It results from disturbance in at least one of the 4 phases of nutrient digestion and absorption: Definition of terms Term Definition Maldigestion This is impaired breakdown…
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. They are characterised by relapsing and remitting inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Crohn’s disease vs Ulcerative colitis Crohn’s disease Ulcerative colitis Symptoms Non-bloody diarrhoea, more prominent weight loss, upper gastrointestinal symptoms, mouth ulcers, and…
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is characterised by recurrent abdominal pain and altered bowel habits without any identifiable organic cause. The Rome IV criteria is used to classify IBS based on the predominant bowel habit: The Rome IV criteria for the diagnosis…
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is the reflux of stomach acid and bile into the oesophagus due to excessive relaxation of the lower oesophageal sphincter. It is the most common cause of epigastric pain. It peaks between the ages of 60 and 60,…
Neurosyphilis occurs when Treponema pallidum infects the central nervous system. It can occur at any stage of syphilis. Classification Category Description Early neurosyphilis Asymptomatic This is the most common form. There are no neurological symptoms with abnormal CSF findings Meningeal (< 1…
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease that is transmitted through breaks in the skin or mucous membranes after contact with individuals with early (primary and secondary) syphilis. It is caused by the spirochete Treponema pallidum – the “great imitator” since it mimics other diseases*.*…
Chlamydia trachomatis is a gram-negative, ovoid, non-motile, obligate intracellular bacterium. It is the second most common non-viral STI after trichomoniasis.