Introduction
- Cause : usually major organ dysfunction.
- Signs : diarrhea in association with signs of underlying disease.
- Diagnosis : identify underlying hepatic disease.
- Treatment : manage underlying condition and symptomatic treatment of disease.
- Prognosis : depends on ability to treat underlying disease.
Diagnosis
Clinical signs
- Weight loss.
- Signs relating to underlying disease.
Diagnosis
Differential diagnosis
- Gastrointestinal causes of diarrhea :
- Pancreatic insufficiency
. - Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth .
- Malobsorption .
- Inflammatory bowel disease .
- Psycological diarrhea .
- Dietary intolerance/hypersensitivity .
- Pancreatic insufficiency
Sequelae
Prognosis
- Depends on being able to manage underlying cause.
Expected response to treatment
- Resolution of diarrhea as underlying disease controlled.
Reasons for treatment failure
- Underlying cause not recognized or managed.
- Incorrect diagnosis - diarrhea concurrent with but not caused by systemic disease.
- Secondary changes related to diarrhea, eg bacterial overgrowth which are not self-limiting once underlying disease controlled.
