11/11/2024 Flashcards
What is Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)?
A complex multisystem autoimmune disease resulting from a type III hypersensitivity reaction involving the formation of immune complexes which can deposit in any organ e.g. skin, joints, kidneys, brain
Epidemiology of SLE?
F:M 9:1
More common in Afro-Caribbean and Asian communities
Onset 20-40 usually
Indecency has risen 3 fold in the last 50 years
What factors may contribute to the aetiology of SLE?
Genetic factors - associated with HLA B8, DR2 and DR3
environmental triggers e.g. drugs and EBV
Which haplotypes are associated with an increased risk of developing SLE?
HLA-DR2 and DR3
HLA B8
Name some environmental triggers for SLE.
- Drugs (procainamide, hydralazine, minocycline, terbinafine, isoniazid, phenytoin, sulfasalazine, carbamazepine)
- Epstein-Barr virus
What are the main risk factors for SLE?
- African American ethnicity
- Female sex (9:1)
- Childbearing age
- HLA-DR2/3 carriers
- Sunlight exposure
What are the common constitutional symptoms of SLE?
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Weight loss
- mouth ulcers
- lymphadenopathy
What is the cutaneous feature of SLE?
Malar (butterfly) rash that spares the nasolabial folds
Discoid rash = scaly, erythematous well demarcated rash in sun-exposed areas
Photosensitivity
Raynaud’s phenomenon
Livedo reticularis
Non-scarring Alopecia
What are the typical musculoskeletal symptoms in SLE?
- Non-erosive arthritis of small joints
- Early morning stiffness
What are common cardiac manifestations of SLE?
- Pericarditis is the most common
- myocarditis
- Coronary artery disease
- Libman-Sacks endocarditis (rare)
What are some pulmonary manifestations of SLE?
- Pleuritis
- Pulmonary hypertension
- fibrosing alveolitis
What serious condition can lupus nephritis lead to?
End-stage renal disease = lupus nephritis
Investigtaions for SLE?
Urinalysis for haematuria and proteinuria
FBC
ESR and CRP
ANA, Anti-dsDNA, anti-smith, anti-phospholipid antibodies
Complement levels
What haematological condition is associated with and can therefore present with lupus?
Antiphospholipid syndrome
Are complement levels low or high in SLE/
Often low during active disease as formation of immune complexes leads to consumption of complement
What is lupus nephritis?
A severe manifestation of SLE that can result in ESRD
This is why all SLE pts should be monitored with urinalysis at each check up
What is the hallmark of SLE in laboratory investigations?
Anti-nuclear antibodies -99% of pts are positive
What is the typical management for mild SLE?
Sunblock
NSAIDs
* Hydroxychloroquine is the treatment of choice
If internal organ involvement then consider prednisolone or cyclophosphamide
What are the classes of lupus nephritis?
Which is the most common?
class I: normal kidney
class II: mesangial glomerulonephritis
class III: focal (and segmental) proliferative glomerulonephritis
class IV: diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis - this is the most common and severe form!!
class V: diffuse membranous glomerulonephritis
class VI: sclerosing glomerulonephritis
What is the 10-year survival rate for SLE?
Around 90%
Management of lupus nephritis?
Treat hypertension
If class III or IV then consider glucocorticoids with either mycophenolate or cyclophosphamide
Most common causes of drug-induced lupus?
Procainamide
Hydralazine
Others:
Isoniazid
Minocycline
Phenytoin
Causes of sideroblastic anaemia?
Congenital
Myelodysplasia
Alcohol
Lead
Anti-TB meds
Outline the Keith-Wagener classification stages of hypertensive retinopathy?
1 - arteriolar narrowing and tortuosity, silver wiring
2 - AV nipping
3 - cotton wool exudates, flame & blot haemorrhages
4 - papilloedema
What is mild non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy?
1 or more microaneurysms
What is moderate non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy?
Many Blind Humans Can’t View Images:
Microaneurysms
Blot haemorrhages
Hard exudates
Cotton wool spots
Venous beading/looping
Intraretinal micro vascular abnormalities
What is severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy?
Blot haemorrhages and microaneurysms in 4 quadrants
Venous beading in at least 2 quadrants
Intraretinal microvascular abnormalities in at least 1 quadrant
Features of proliferative diabetic retinopathy?
retinal neovascularisation - may lead to vitrous haemorrhage
fibrous tissue forming anterior to retinal disc
(Note 50% will be blind in 5 years)
What is diabetic maculopathy?
hard exudates and other ‘background’ changes on macula - based on location rather than severity!
More common in T2DM
When do you treat diabetic retinopathy?
When its very severe non-proliferative you can consider
Treat when proliferative retinopathy (with panretinal laser photocoagulation and intravitreal VEGF inhibitors)
What must you do if you have a pt with a long saphenous vein superficial thrombophlebitis?
Patients with long saphenous vein superficial thrombophlebitis should have an ultrasound scan to exclude an underlying DVT
20% of al cases of thrombophlebitis have an underlying DVT and the risk is linked to the length of the vein affected
Management of orbital cellulitis?
Admission to hospital for IV antibiotics due to the risk of cavernous sinus thrombosis and intracranial spread
Features that suggest orbital cellulitis rather than periorbital cellulitis?
Reduced visual acuity
Proptosis
Ophthlamoplegia
Pain with eye movements