Autoimmune and Neurological Disorders Flashcards
The body uses the immune system to fight
________________________________
_________________ are immune system derived proteins that recognize antigens
_____________are unique part of foreign target
____________ and ____________are integral part of immunity
The body uses the immune system to fight infections and diseases
Antibodies are immune system-derived proteins that recognize antigens
Antigens are a unique part of foreign target
T cells and B cells are integral parts of immunity
What are T cells?
Cell-mediated immunity
T cell receptor recognizes foreign material
Helper T cells
Cytotoxic T cells
What are B cells?
Humoral immunity
B cells produce antibodies against antigens
When do autoimmune diseases occur?
Occurs when the immune system attacks body’s own organs and cells
Autoantibodies recognize normal body cells and components as foreign antigens
Describe Autoimmune ear diseases (AIED):
Autoantibodies attack the inner ear
Inflammation of blood vessels (vasculitis)
SNHL (cochlea)
CHL (ossicles)
Vertigo/imbalance (vestibular organ)
What HL can autoimmune diseases cause?
Rapidly progressive or fluctuating SNHL
Rarely CHL
Usually bilateral
Tinnitus
Normal otoscopy
When can Autoimmune Inner Ear Diseases occur?
May occur alone or with other autoimmune diseases
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
Multiple sclerosis
HIV/AIDS
Meniere’s disease
Many others have been associated with SNHL
What is Lupus?
Inflammation of connective tissues and organs and is the most common autoimmune disease
Females»_space; Males
Typically diagnosed in young adults
Much more common in Blacks and Asians
Severity ranges from mild to fatal
Direct attack on inner ear
20% have SNHL
Sudden, fluctuating
What are the features of Lupus?
Depends on which antibodies are formed
Skin, joints, kidneys, and lungs most affected
Hepatomegaly
May affect nervous system
Headache, tinnitus
High fevers and malaise
Flares up intermittently
How can we manage Lupus?
Refer to MD (rheumatology, ENT for SNHL)
Corticosteroids (potent anti-inflammatory)
Immunosuppressive meds
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory meds (NSAIDs)
Amplification (rarely CIs)
What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Autoimmune disorder
Synovial joints attacked by autoantibodies
Synovitis can occur in any synovial joints
What is MS?
Autoimmune disease of the CNS
Autoantibodies damage the myelin sheath around axons of the brain and spinal cord
Myelin sheath:
Surrounds axons of neurons
Crucial in transmission
What is the epidemiology of MS?
Canada has one of the highest rates of MS in the world
About 133 out of every 100,000 Canadians affected
Most common neurological disease in young adults in Canada
Females»_space; Males
What are the symptoms of MS?
Depends on the area of demyelination
Double vision
Loss of balance
Impaired speech
Extreme fatigue
Paresis/paralysis
SNHL
How do you manage MS?
Amplification (remember the varying course of disease)
Refer to MD
Corticosteroids
NSAIDs
Other immunosuppressive/biologics
What is HIV?
HIV-human immunodeficiency virus
Virus that infects humans
What is AIDS?
AIDS-acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
Disease that is caused by HIV
Not all people with HIV have AIDS
Patients with AIDS are immunosuppressed
What are the features of HIV and AIDS?
Up to 50% with HIV/AIDS have SNHL
No clear pathophysiology
HIV may directly affect CNS and peripheral nerves
SNHL can also be caused by ototoxic medications or opportunistic infections
What is Meniere’s Disease?
Idiopathic condition
Vertigo
Tinnitus
Aural fullness
SNHL
Cyclical in nature
Fluctuating signs and symptoms
What are the onset details of Menier’s Disease?
Average onset during the 40’s
Rare before this time
Slight female preponderance
Starts in one ear
Contralateral ear involved between 2-75%
About half have family history
Multi-factorial in origin:
Autoimmune
Genetic
Trauma
Infectious
Hormonal
What is the primary pathophysiology of MD?
Primary pathophysiology is endolymphatic hydrops
Too much endolymph causes dilation of vestibule and scala media
May lead to rupture and mixing of endolymph and perilymph
How can MD affect hearing?
Often low-frequency SNHL
Often unilateral (initially)
Mild to moderate loss of speech discrimination
Loudness recruitment
How do you manage MD?
Dietary
Medical
Surgical
Goal is to control inner ear fluid build up/pressure and improve circulation
How can you manage MD from your diet?
Low salt diet
Low cholesterol or triglyceride
Avoid caffeine and tobacco
How can you manage MD from medical therapy?
Antivertigo agents
Steroids
Diuretics
Vasodilators
How do you manage HL from MD?
Amplification
Difficult due to fluctuating nature
Usually more effective in chronic stable disease
Meniett device
Local pressure applied
Variable results
Expensive
How can MD be managed by surgical therapy?
Remember Meniere’s disease can be very debilitating
Surgical therapy
Chemical labyrinthectomy
Endolymphatic sac decompression
Labyrinthectomy
Vestibular nerve section