Autoimmune Diseases in the immune system

Question 1

What is an autoimmune disease?

Answer 1

 This is a breakdown in ability to differentiate between self and
non-self antigens

Question 2

Autoimmune diseases can be systemic pr tissue specific. What are the systemic examples?

Answer 2

rheumatoid arthritis, lupus,
scleroderma

Question 3

What are the tissu-specific examples of autoimmune diseases?

Answer 3

myasthenia gravis,
ulcerative colitis, Graves Disease

Question 4

Genetic influence
 Family clusters of certain disorders, HLA
genotype
 Race
​
Environmental factors
 Some microorganisms (bacteria/viruses) or drugs trigger changes in the normal immune response
 Molecular Mimicry
 Exposure to certain chemicals (solvents) or sunlight
​
Gender
 Many disorders more common in women
 Estrogen stimulates, while androgens suppress the immune system

Answer 4

Possible causes of autoimmune diseases include

Question 5

What is rheutemoid arthritis?

Answer 5

Inflammation of lining of joints and surrounding tissues leading to bone erosion and joint deformities

Question 6

Sysmptoms and risk factors of rheutemoid arthritis?

Answer 6

Risk factors:
 Females > males
 Ages 40-60 most common
 Genetic component
 Smoking

Symptoms:
 Tender, warm, swollen joints
 Morning stiffness
 Rheumatoid nodules
 Fatigue, feve

Question 7

Scleroderma: What is it and what places does it affect?

Answer 7

Hardening and tightening of skin and connective tissues due to
overproduction of collagen

 Localized – affects skin only
 Systemic – harm internal organs

Question 8

Risk factors for scleroderma

Answer 8

 Females 4X more likely
 Ages 30-50 most common
 Racial component
 Environmental toxins (silica dust,
paint thinners, chemotherapy

Question 9

Symptoms and treatment of scleroderma

Answer 9

Symptoms:
 Swollen fingers/hands
 Thickened patches of skin
 Tight skin on hands/face/mouth
 Raynaud’s phenomenon
 GERD
 Systemic complications of various organ
systems

Treatment:
 BP meds to prevent lung/kidney problems
 Immunosuppressant drugs
 PT/OT
 Surgery – laser, amputati

Question 10

Chronic inflammation of multiple body systems, including joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart and lung

Answer 10

What is systemic lupus Erythematosus

Question 11

 Characteristic butterfly-shaped rash
 Fatigue and fever
 Joint pain, stiffness and swelling
 Raynaud’s phenomenon
 Skin lesions
 Shortness of breath
 Chest pain
 Dry eyes
 Headaches, confusion, memory loss
 Kidney damage/failure

Answer 11

Symptoms of systemic lupus Erythematosus

Question 12

Treatment of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Answer 12

 NSAIDs
 Corticosteroids
 Antimalarial drugs
 Immunosuppressant drugs

Question 13

What is autoimmune hemolytic anemia?

Answer 13

Drop in the number of RBCs due to increased destruction by immune system

Question 14

Risk factors, symptoms, andtreatment of autoimmune hemolytic anemia

Answer 14

Risk factors:
 Recent viral infections
 Cancer or leukemia
 Family history

Symptoms:
 Dark urine
 Fatigue
 Pallor
 Elevated HR
 Shortness of breath
 Jaundice

Treatment:
 Corticosteroids
 Immunosuppressive drugs
 Splenectomy
 Blood transfusion