Class 5 (2/4/21) Flashcards
Most rheumatic conditions involve pathological process involving …
Immune system.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is…
- Chronic systemic inflammatory disease.
- Polyarticular disease that most commonly involves the peripheral non-weight bearing joints.
- Progressive and results in pain, stiffness, and swelling of joints.
- Women are more affected.
- Age of onset is between 35 to 45.
Etiology of RA?
- Exact cause of RA is unknown.
2. A blend of environmental and genetic factors is responsible.
Pathophysiology of RA?
- Hypertrophy of synovial membrane.
2. Pannus formation results in destruction of articular cartilage and subchondral bone (bone erosion).
Presentation of RA?
- RA usually has an insidious, slow onset over weeks to months.
- Joints most commonly involved first are metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints of the hands, proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints, and wrists.
- Rheumatoid nodules are found most often on extensor surfaces such as olecranon process.
- Boutonniere’s deformity (flexed PIP, extended DIP)
- Swan neck deformity
- Ulnar deviation of wrist
- Extra-articular complications (Cardiac, pulmonary, hepatic, ocular, vascular)
Lab studies in RA
- Positive serum RF (serum rheumatoid factor), about 70-85% of patients with RA.
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is elevated with 90% of patients with RA.
- C-reactive protein (CRP) is elevated in inflammatory disease.
- Complete blood count (CBC): presence of anemia.
Imaging studies in RA?
X-ray:
- Bone erosion and cycts
- Osteopenia
- Joint space swelling
- Calcification
- Narrowed joint space
- Deformities, separations, and fractures.
Diagnostic criteria for RA:
A patient must exhibit 4 of the 7 criteria:
- Morning stiffness lasting at least 1 hour and present for at least 6 weeks.
- Swelling in three or more joints for at least 6 weeks.
- Swelling in hand joints (MCP, PIP, wrist) for at least 6 weeks.
- Symmetrical joint swelling for at least 6 weeks.
- Erosions or decalcification (osteopenia) on x-ray of the hands.
- Presence of rheumatoid nodules.
- Elevated level of serum rheumatoid factor (RF)
Treatment of RA
- Moist heat (Paraffin bath)
Hubbard bath - hydrotherapy - Physical therapy
- Pain relief (NSAIDS/COX-2 inhibitor), NSAIDS reduces pain and inflammation.
- DMARDS - disease modifying antirheumatic drugs
- Glococorticoids/corticosteroids
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) &
Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors [Celecoxib]
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs):
- NSAIDs have been the cornerstone of therapy for RA.
- NSAIDs reduce pain and inflammation and allow for improvements in mobility and function.
Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors [Celecoxib]:
- Has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic activity. Blocks prostaglandin synthesis.
- Unlike other NSAIDs, COX-2 inhibitors suppress only cyclooxygenase-2, the enzyme involved in inflammation. COX-2 inhibitors also have fewer GI Side effects.
DMARDS - Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs
- First-line therapy (in addition to NSAIDS).
- These drugs most frequently are used in various combination therapy regimens.
- Limit the amount of joint damage that occurs in rheumatoid arthritis.
- Slow the disease and save the joints and other tissues from permanent damage.
- They are often used to try and control synovial inflammation, decrease erosions and reduce the necessity for corticosteroids.
- Associated with better long-term disability index.
Methotrexate - MTX (Rheumatrex)
- Gold standard of care in patients with RA.
- Has potent immunosuppressive effects.
Side effects: nausea, GI discomfort, rash, diarrhea, and headaches.
Rare SE: hepatotoxicity and bone marrow suppression. Therefore, a CBC, urinalysis, and comprehensive metabolic panel should be monitored every 4 to 6 weeks.
Sulfasalazine, antimalarials (hydroxychloroquine), gold
Immunomodulators: medications used to help regulate or normalize the immune system. Examples include one class of immunomodulator which is used as an adjunctive therapy to treat asthma.
Surgical therapy for RA
- Synovectomy - local destruction or removal of inflamed synovium from individual joints.
- Joint Replacement
- Joint Fusion - wrist, thumb, C-spine
- Reconstruction - tendon repair
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
- Development of autoantibodies.
- Affects multiple organ systems.
- Characterized by peripheral polyarthritis with symmetric involvement of small and large joints WITHOUT joint erosion.
- The disease is quite variable from patient to patient
and even within a given patient, the disease can
manifest as a highly variable course. - A chronic, relapsing, inflammatory, and often febrile
multi-systemic disorder of connective tissue,
characterized principally by involvement of skin, joint, and kidneys.
Epidemiology of SLE
- Greater incidence in women (due to estrogen, etc.)
- The onset of SLE is highest between the ages 15-
40 years old. (= SLE is the most common cause of systemic illness in young females between the
ages of 15 and 40 years). - It is three times more common in African American women in Caucasian women (also more common in women of Hispanic, Asian, and Native American descent
than in Caucasian women).
Pathogenesis of SLE
- It is a classic autoimmune disease.
- Target tissue damage is caused primarily by pathogenic
autoantibodies, and immune complex formation that
induces a vasculitis in many organ systems
Genetics on SLE
- Susceptibility to SLE depends on multiple genes.
- Multiple genetic defects appear to contribute to the
development of pathogenetic autoantibodies.
Environmental factors of SLE
- Ultraviolet light promotes apoptosis in dermal cells
which results in the proliferation of autoantibodies
including: antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and antiphospholipid antibodies (APLA), Anti-dsDNA (anti-double-stranded DNA).
Hormonal influences of SLE
- Estrogen: prepubertal and postmenopausal women have similar incidence to men. Men who develop lupus have a higher concentration of estrogenic metabolites.
Medications capable producing lupus
- Anticonvulsants (dilantin, phenobarbital).
- Hydralazine ( antihypertensive – lower BP).
- Procainamide ( anti arrhythmic).
- isoniazid (anti-TB)…