Student produced material
The following is a case study made by one of our first year biochemistry module students. I placed a case study online and asked the group to make their own to help embed the knowledge.
Part 1: Patient X with diagnosed arthritis is complaining of abdominal discomfort when hungry, but this isn’t helped with food. They then suffer with painful indigestion which is soothed by antacids. However the pain returns soon after.
The patient’s BMI falls in the normal category. There were no obvious lumps, or any pains whilst coughing or lifting objects, and an ultrasound gave a normal result. There is no history of cancer or diabetes in the family. The patient does not smoke, and consumes alcohol rarely.
What could be causing the abdominal discomfort and the indigestion?
Part 2: a stool antigen sample was tested for Helicobacter pylori and came back positive. When tested again after a course of two antibiotics and antacids, the results were negative, and H. pylori was no longer infecting the patient.
A few days later the patient was still complaining of discomfort in the upper abdomen, which comes and goes and wakes them from sleep. The patient has also said they feel nauseated and particularly full after a meal.
What could be the cause of this and how should it be treated?
Part 1: the patient was infected with Helicobacter pylori, causing the discomfort. This was then treated with 2 antibiotics and the infection completely cured.
Part 2: the patient had a duodenal ulcer, caused by the medication for their arthritis. Antacids were taken alongside this medication to let the ulcer heal, and to reduce t
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