6.1. Rheumatology - The Science Flashcards
What is Rheumatology?
The Medical Specialty that deals with Patients with Arthritis and other related Conditions
Note - this incorporates 200+ disorders
What is Arthritis?
Inflammation of a Joint or Joints
What are the Clinical Signs of Arthritis?
- Tenderness
- Swelling
- Restriction of Movement
- Heat
- Redness
- Systemic Features
What are the Symptoms of Arthritis?
- Pain
- Stiffness
- Swelling
- Functional Impairment
- Systemic Symptoms
What are the main Rheumatic Diseases?
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Seronegative Arthritis
- Crystal Arthritis
- Connective Tissue Disease
- Systemic Vasculitis
- Bone Disease
- Osteoarthritis
What are the functions of the normal Synovium?
- Maintenance of Intact Tissue Surface
- Lubrication of Cartillage
- Control of Synovial Fluid Volume and Composition
- Nutrition of Chondrocytes within Joints
What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
A Chronic, Symmetric, Polyarticular Inflammatory Joint Disease
Where does Rheumatoid Arthritis primarily affect?
Small Joints of the Hands and Feet
What characterises Rheumatoid Synovitis (Pannus)?
- Inflammatory Cell Infiltration
- Synoviocyte Proliferation
- Synoviocyte neoangiogenesis
- Synovial Fluid containing Neutrophils (particularly during acute flares of Rheumatoid Arthritis)
What does Synovial Pannus cause?
Bone and Cartilage Destruction
What auto-antibodies are associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis?
- Rheumatoid Factors
2. Anti-Citrullinated Protein
What is the type of Rheumatoid Arthritis in which Autoantibody’s are found?
Seropositive Rheumatoid Arthritis
What are the most common Autoantibodies found in Seropositive Rheumatoid Arthritis?
- Rheumatoid Factor
- Anti-Citrullinated Protein Antibody (ACPA)
- Diagnostic Anti-CCP Assays (Recognise Self-Proteins)
Note - 3 recognises Alpha-enolase, fibrinogen, fibronectin, collagen, vimentin
How is the prognosis for anyone who is Anti-Cirullinated Protein Antibody Positive (ACPA+)?
Less Favourable
What is the type of Rheumatoid Arthritis in which Autoantibody’s are not found?
Seronegative Rheumatoid Arthritis