ankylosing spondylitis Flashcards

1
Q

what is ankylosing spondylitis

A

inflamed spine growing together

  • characterized by symmetric sacroiliitis and progressive inflammatory arthritis
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2
Q

what are spondylarthropathies

A
  • family of related disorders linked by common pathology
  • characterized by chronic inflammation involving SI joints, axial skeleton, and peripheral joints to a lesser degree
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3
Q

spondylarthropathies are associated with what gene

A

HLA-B27

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4
Q

what percentage of people with ankylosing spondylitis have the HLA-B27 gene

A

90%

*only 1-2% of people with HLA-B27 develop ankylosing spondylitis

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5
Q

age of onset of ankylosing spondylitis

A

late teens to young adults

male:female = 3:1

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6
Q

what pathophysiology causes ankylosing spondylitis

A

inflammation at site of insertion of ligaments and tendons into bone

  • over time, process leads to ossification
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7
Q

clinical presentation

  • aching low back pain, around SI joint area
  • persistant morning back stiffness for more than 1 hr
    • pain can awake them in the morning
  • stiffness exacerbated by inactivity and improves with moderate activity
A

Ankylosing Spondylitis

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8
Q

Ankylosing Spondylitis disease progresses in which direction

A

proximally

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9
Q

Is Ankylosing Spondylitis a systemic disease?

A

yes

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10
Q

what constitutional symptoms may occurs during an acute exacerbation of Ankylosing Spondylitis

A
  • low grade fever
  • fatigue
  • weight loss
  • night sweats

*more common in adolescents than adults

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11
Q

what is the most frequent and most important extra-articular manifestation of Ankylosing Spondylitis

A

acute anterior uveitis (iritis)

*present in 25% of patients with AS

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12
Q

Describe the prodrome of anterior uveitis (iritis) that is associated with Ankylosing Spondylitis

A
  1. eye discomfort or HA
  2. severe eye pain, redness, photophobia, blurry vision, increased lacrimation
  3. circumcorneal flush
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13
Q

Does the anterior uveitis (iritis) that is associated with Ankylosing Spondylitis usually affect one eye or both eyes? When does it resolve?

A
  • unilateral
  • episodes usually resolve over 2-3 months
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14
Q

what are some other extra-articular symptoms associated with Ankylosing Spondylitis

A
  • AV block
  • Aortic regurgitation
  • Neurologic: cauda equina syndrome secondary to fx
  • TMJ dysfunction
  • fibromyalgia
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15
Q

What Physical exam findings would you expect to see in Ankylosing Spondylitis

A
  • limited spinal motion always
  • tenderness over SI joints
  • loss of lumbar lordosis (curve)
  • accentuated thoracic kyphosis
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16
Q

what is the shober test

A
  • test for AS
  • intersection of iliac crests and spine
  • mark 10 cm above and 5 cm below intersection
  • have patient forward flex as much as possible
  • re-measure distance between marks
  • total distance should be > 20 cm..normal to have at least 5 cm of movement
17
Q

what abnormal lab tests would you expect to see with ankylosing spondylitis

A
  • **no specific test for AS
  • CBC: normochromic/normocytic anemia
  • ESR and/or CRP elevated in 75%
  • alkaline phosphatase elevated in 50% due to ossification
18
Q

why would you/would you not test a patient for HLA-B27

A

negative result in more useful in excluding diagnosis than a positive result in in confirming diagnosis

19
Q

bamboo spine is related to what condition

A

ankylosis spondylitis

20
Q

what is the first line treatment for ankylosing spondylitis

A

NSAIDs

  • indomethacin (Indocin) considered most effective
  • may consider celecoxib (Celebrex)
21
Q

second line of treatment for ankylosing spondylitis if conservative treatment fails

A
  • rheumatology referral
    • tumor necrosis factor alpha antagonists
    • azulfidine: peripheral arthritis
  • intra-articular steroids used no more than every 3-4 months
22
Q

treatment if you see iritis/uveitis symptoms

A

refer to opthalmology

23
Q

supportive measures for ankylosing spondylitis

A
  • daily exercise is essential
  • stretching and strengthening exercises
  • PT