Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Biomedicine (Semester II) > 15. Immune System - Autoimmune Disorders > Flashcards

15. Immune System - Autoimmune Disorders Flashcards

1
Q

What are autoimmune disorders?

A

Conditions associated with an immune response against the body’s own tissues

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is autoimmunity?

A

A breakdown of the mechanisms responsible for self-tolerance

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What are formed to fight self-antigens?

A

Autoantibodies

Cytotoxic T-cells

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What does the antibody-antigen reaction lead to?

A

Complement activation
Inflammation
Tissue damage

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Which genes are linked with autoimmune diseases?

A

HLA: B27, DR2, DR3, DR4

DQ2, DQ8

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What digestive tract situation is linked with autoimmune diseases?

A

Increased intestinal tract permeability (leaky gut)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE): definition

A

Chronic, inflammatory, autoimmune, multi-system disorder in which antibodies are formed against nuclear antigens

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE): pathophysiology

A

B-cell activation increasing IgG levels against components of cell nuclei

Inability to remove immune complexes from tissue
Complement is activated causing inflammation
Impaired T-cell regulation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE): aetiology

A

Multifactorial interaction between various genetic and environmental factors
Higher oestrogen levels
Low vitamin D levels
Chronic bacterial infections common pre-diagnosis
Viral infections e.g. EBV
Smoking, silica dust (from concrete)
Oral contraceptive pill, HRT, stress, UV light, pesticides

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE): signs and symptoms

A

Fever, malaise
Butterfly rash, photosensitivity, vasculitis, Raynaud’s syndrome
Joint pain - peripheral (sym/asym) - hands, knees, elbows
Pleurisy, pericarditis, hypertension
Nephritis
Lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, anaemia, leukopenia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE): diagnostics

A

Blood tests: anti-nuclear antibodies (ANAs), anaemia, elevated ESR and complement, anti-phospholipid antibodies

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE): allopathic treatment

A

Immunosuppressants
Corticosteroids
Sunscreen
NSAIDs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Rheumatoid Arthritis: definition

A

Autoimmune, chronic, systemic inflammation of the synovium

Potentially affects all organs (except brain)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Rheumatoid Arthritis: pathophysiology

A

RF (present in around 80% of sufferers) is an auto-antibody which is directed against a portion of IgG
Resultant immune complexes activate complement proteins leading to inflammation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Rheumatoid Arthritis: aetiology

A

Genetic markers - HLA-DR4 and DR1
Infectious agents e.g. rubella, EBV
Abnormal intestinal permeability, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
Smoking

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Rheumatoid Arthritis: signs and symptoms

A

Symmetrical/bilateral arthritis of small joints (hands and feet mostly)
Gradually spreads to more proximal structures
Progressive morning stiffness (> 1 hr)
Deformity of joints e.g. swan neck, ulnar deviation
Subcutaneous nodules around fingers/elbows
General malaise and fatigue
C1/C2 subluxation and compression of the spinal cord leading to paralysis and neurological complications
Kidney problems

17
Q

Rheumatoid Arthritis: allopathic treatment

A

Anti-inflammatories and immunosuppressants - methotrexate (hard drug, best avoided)
Surgery

18
Q

Rheumatoid Arthritis: epidemiology

A

Affects 1% of people worldwide; greater in women

Peak occurrence - 30-50 yrs old

19
Q

Ankylosing Spondylitis: definition

A

Systemic autoimmune disease associated with chronic inflammation of the spine and sacroiliac joints
Often leads to spinal fusion and stiffness

20
Q

Ankylosing Spondylitis: aetiology

A

Strong genetic association with HLA-B27 (present in 95% of patients)
Links with inflammatory bowel diseases and leaky gut
Intestinal infections such as salmonella and shigella cross reacting with HLA-B27

21
Q

Ankylosing Spondylitis: signs and symptoms

A

Typically begins with sacroiliac and lower lumbar spine pain, before progressing up spine
Associated with worsening morning stiffness
Lower back pain improves with activity
Lumbar flattens and patients often become kyphotic
Hip and heel pain common
20% suffer acute iritis (eye infection)
Systemic symptoms - fever, fatigue, malaise

22
Q

Ankylosing Spondylitis: diagnostics

A

Bloods - elevated inflammatory markers (CRP, ESR), positive for HLA-B27
X-ray, MRI - to reveal characteristic bamboo spine

23
Q

Ankylosing Spondylitis: allopathic treatment

A

Anti-inflammatories

Surgery in later stages

24
Q

Ankylosing Spondylitis: epidemiology

A

Age of onset typically 15-30 yrs old; more common in males

25
Q

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: definition

A

An underactive thyroid due to thyroid hormone deficiency

26
Q

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: pathophysiology

A

Low thyroid hormones - T4 and T3
Thyroid gland gradually destroyed by a variety of cells and antibodies - mediated immune processs
Auto-antibodies develop that react with thyroglobulin and thyroid cells preventing the synthesis of thyroid hormones

27
Q

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: signs and symptoms

A

Tiredness, malaise, weight gain, cold intolerance, constipation, depression

Slow cognition, poor memory, low libido, deep voice, menstrual changes, muscle aches, arthralgia (joint pain)

Goitre, dry, brittle skin, thin hair, loss of eyebrows

Myxoedema (swelling often around eyes - deposition of polysaccharides which attract water)

28
Q

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: diagnostics

A

Physical - slow tendon reflexes, bradycardia
Blood tests - high TSH, low thyroid hormones
Barnes temperature test - below 36.6C may indicate hypothyroidism

29
Q

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: allopathic treatment

A

Levothyroxine - thyroid hormone replacement

30
Q

Graves’ Disease: definition

A

Hypermetabolism and elevated serum levels of free thyroid hormones

31
Q

Graves’ Disease: pathophysiology

A

Increased IgG antibodies bind to TSH receptor and stimulate production of thyroid hormone

32
Q

Graves’ Disease: aetiology

A

Excessive iodine supplementation

Tumour - hypothalamic, pituitary

33
Q

Graves’ Disease: signs and symptoms

A

Nervousness, irritability, hyperactivity, unexplained weight loss, heat sensitivity, increased swelling

Insomnia, palpitations, muscle weakness, frequent bowel and bladder movements, diarrhoea, fatigue (only symptom similar to hypothyroidism)

Goitre (only sign similar to hypothyroidism), exophthalmos (bulging eyes), tachycardia, tremor, brisk tendon reflexes, lid lag

34
Q

Graves’ Disease: allopathic treatment

A

Carbimazole (to block thyroid activity)
Radioactive iodine (to destroy part of the thyroid gland)
Beta-blockers (to manage tachycardia), surgery

Biomedicine (Semester II) (20 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions