section name header

Table 42-2

Physical Examination in Pts with Chronic Diarrhea

  1. Are there general features to suggest malabsorption or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) such as anemia, dermatitis herpetiformis, edema, or clubbing?
  2. Are there features to suggest underlying autonomic neuropathy or collagen-vascular disease in the pupils, orthostasis, skin, hands, or joints?
  3. Is there an abdominal mass or tenderness?
  4. Are there any abnormalities of rectal mucosa, rectal defects, or altered anal sphincter functions?
  5. Are there any mucocutaneous manifestations of systemic disease such as dermatitis herpetiformis (celiac disease), erythema nodosum (ulcerative colitis), flushing (carcinoid), or oral ulcers for IBD or celiac disease?