ABIM GI study guide
ABIM GI · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The ABIM Gastroenterology Certification Examination is the assessment the American Board of Internal Medicine uses to certify physicians who have completed gastroenterology fellowship training and wish to practice as board-certified gastroenterologists. It is aimed at internists who have finished accredited GI fellowships and are entering independent practice, and it is also used by established specialists maintaining certification through the longitudinal knowledge pathway. The ABIM GI study guide has 9 sections and about 2,094 words.
01Esophagus and Stomach
Master the motility and mucosal disorders first. For achalasia, know the manometric pattern (absent peristalsis with failure of LES relaxation) and that pseudoachalasia from malignancy must be excluded, especially in older patients with rapid weight loss.
271 words, about 1 min02Small Intestine, Colon, and Anorectum
Build a framework around absorption and obstruction. Celiac disease is a small-bowel immune enteropathy: positive tissue transglutaminase IgA with total IgA checked, duodenal biopsy showing villous atrophy, and a strict gluten-free diet.
256 words, about 1 min03Pancreas and Biliary Tract
Separate acute from chronic pancreatitis and biliary from pancreatic disease. Acute pancreatitis diagnosis requires two of three: characteristic pain, lipase greater than three times the upper limit, or imaging findings.
236 words, about 1 min04Liver
Organize by injury pattern: hepatocellular versus cholestatic. Viral hepatitis serologies are heavily tested: acute hepatitis B shows HBsAg and anti-HBc IgM; resolved infection shows anti-HBs and anti-HBc IgG; isolated anti-HBc can reflect window period or remote infection.
241 words, about 1 min05Inflammatory and Functional Bowel Disorders
Distinguish inflammatory bowel disease subtypes and functional disorders. Ulcerative colitis is continuous, starts in the rectum, and involves mucosa; Crohn disease is transmural, skip lesions, and can affect any segment with fistulas and strictures.
224 words, about 1 min06Gastrointestinal Oncology and Hereditary Syndromes
Know screening and hereditary syndromes. Colorectal cancer screening begins at age 45 in average-risk adults; colonoscopy every 10 years, or stool-based testing annually or every 3 years.
227 words, about 1 min07Nutrition, Malabsorption, and Obesity
Link malabsorption to the nutrient absorbed at each site. Fat malabsorption causes steatorrhea and fat-soluble vitamin deficiency; test with fecal fat or, practically, fecal elastase for pancreatic cause.
216 words, about 1 min08Endoscopy and Procedural Care
Know indications, complications, and periprocedural management. Upper endoscopy evaluates dyspepsia with alarm features, bleeding, and surveillance.
212 words, about 1 min09Infectious and Systemic Disease of the GI Tract
Recognize infections by setting and presentation. Clostridioides difficile causes antibiotic-associated diarrhea; test only with symptoms, and treat with oral vancomycin or fidaxomicin for severe disease.
211 words, about 1 min