Conditions Flashcards
What is the pathophysiology behind RA?
It is an autoimmune condition which occurs when there’s antibodies to a portion of the IgG known as RF and another for Anti-citrullinated cyclic peptide. There is a process of citrullination of self antibodies which in turn causes activation of t and b cells and this results in secretion of TNF and proliferation of synoviocytes. Which essentially block the cartilage from nutrients and results in death of the cartilage. Macrophages also cause increased activation of osteoclasts causing bone damage
What is the patient demographic for RA?
- usually female likelihood 3:1 and 30-50
What do you expect to see.on examination of a patient with RA?
- progressive peripheral and symmetrical polyarthritis
-affect MCP and PIP and MTPS. ( OA is of the DIPJ) - morning stiffness of more than 6 weeks
- soft tissue swelling and tenderness
- ulanr deviation
-swan neck deformity and bouternniera - rhuematoid nodules- usually on the elbow
- MAY present with carpal tunnel
What are the investigations associated with RA?
- RF and Anti CCP
- FBC- can present with normocytic anaemia in chronic RA
- WCC to rule out septic arthritis
- X RAY
- inflammatory markers
- Hrct- high Res CT and Pulmonary function tests PFT
Why do patients present with normocytic anaemia in RA??
Because they have chronic inflammation, therefore bone marrow lifespan is reduced
Why do patients present with lung problems in RA?
It’s one of the most common extra articular signs of RA- it occurs because of the formation of Rheumatoid nodules in the lungs
What is the treatment of RA?
DMARD monotherapy- methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine, sulfasalazine
Steroids- PO/IMA OR INTRARTICULAR
- control the symptoms with NSAIDS but give PPI cover
- if RA is persistent then consider biologics- like ANTI- TNF
- consider occupational therapy or physiotherapy
What are the many extra -articular manifestations of RA?
3Cs- carpal tunnel, CVD, Cord compression - via subluxation of the atlas and axial bone
3As- anaemia and amyloidosis and arteritis
3Ps- pericarditis, pleural disease, pulmonary disease,
3Ss- Sjorgens, scleritis and episcleritis, splenic enlargement, ( with neutropenia called Feltys)
What are the X-ray features of RA?
LESS
Loss of joint space
Erosions
Soft tissue swelling
Subluxation
WHAT IS GIANT CELL ARTERITIS?
this is when there is vasculitis of th vessels which originate from the arch of the aorta. It is often called TEMPORAL ARTERITIS
- l
What are the main risk factors associated with GCA?
-most patients are over 60- rare in patients under 50
-Women
-more common in caucasian patients rarer in Afro-american
-Polymyalgia Rheumatica has a strong link to developing GCA
-genetic predisposition if they have HLA-DR4
What is HLA-DR4?
This is a genetic mutation- this is a a human leukocyte antigen which increases the predisposition to RA.
What is Polymyalgia rheumatica?
Inflammatory condition which causes pain, swelling and inflammation in the upper limbs and hips
What are the symptoms of GCA?
-visual disturbances- vision problems- blurring, diplopia and amarousis fugax- visual symptoms tend to come about weeks to months after initial symptom onset
-Jaw claudication and pain on chewing
-Lancinating unilateral boring pain- over one side of the temple
-Scalp tenderness over the temple
-Headache
What is lancinating pain?
-Sharp, stabbing pain
How is a diagnosis of GCA made?
-If there are 2 or more of any of these criteria in someone who is 50+ old:
-new visual problems
=new onset headache
-tenderness on scalp- in the temporal artery region
-Biopsy with necrotizing arteritis
-Raised ESR, CRP AND PV
What is ESR, PV?
-ESR is erethrocyte sedimentation rate- this is a measure of inflammation
-Plasma viscosity- is also increased in inflammation
What is the treatment of GCA?
-Prednisilone- 60-100mg over 2 weeks- before slowly tapering it off -(NEVER STOP IT IMMEDIATELY- HYPOADRENAL SHOCK)
-Methylprednisilone in acute onset of visual symptoms- give it over pulse therapy 1-3 days
-Low dose aspirin to decrease the risk of thrombosis.
Why is there an increasxed risk of thrombotic events in patients with GCA?
-Vasculitic conditions is associated with ANCA ,which produces an oxidative burst- which is associated with endothelial dysfunction.
What is the biggest complication of GCA and what happens if it is left untreated?
- Permanent vision loss- (unilateral visual disturbances can- if untreated- cause bilateral blindness)
What is Polymyalgia rheumatica?
-This is when there is inflammation, pain and morning stiffness in the shoulder, neck and hips.
Risk factors for Polymyalgia Rhuematica?
-70 + year old
-Associated with GCA
Symptoms of Polymyalgia Rheumatica?
-Proximal limb pain and stiffness especially in the elderly
-Night time pain
-Morning stiffness
-reduced ROM
-difficulty combing hair or getting out of chairs
-Muscle tenderness
-Normal muscle strength
What are the findings on investigations of PMR?
-ESR,PV and CRP
-temporal artery biopsy (increased risk)
Treatment of PMR?
Usually treat with Prednisolone-15mg daily- slowly taper off- rapid tapering causes symptom relapse- in this case give methotrexate
-Usually should respond to medication immediately- if there is no immediate response reconsider diagnosis. ALWAYS ADJUST MEDS TO SYMPTOMS NOT TO ESR/CRP.
Which other conditions can present with PMR initially ?
-Rheumatoid Arthiritis
-Cancer
why is methylprednisolone given to patients with acute visual problems in GCA?
its stronger than Prednisolone
What does spondyloarthropathies comprise of?
-Ankylosing spondilitis
-reactive arthiritis
-Enteropathic arthiritis
-Psoriatic arthropathies
-HLA-B27+ increased liklihood
What are the similar clinical features of Spondyloarthropathies?
-sacroiliac/axial pain - back and buttock pain
-Arthropathy- joint disease
-Enthesitis- this is tendon inflammation
-Extra-articular features- eye, gut, skin
What is ankylosing spondylitis?
This is when there is inflammation in the spine
Symptomatic presentation of ankylosinf spondylitis?
-Patients- usually male teens or young adults- present with bilateral buttock pain and thoracic (chest) pain and chest wall pain
What are the extra-articular features of ankylosing spondylitis?
Anterior uveitis
Aortic incompetence
AV block
amyloidosis
apical lung fibrosis
What can we find on examination of a patient with ankylosing spondylitis?
-Usually patients have normal examination- its only later that they lose lordosis in their lumbar spine- therefore straightens out and excessive kymphosis in thoracic region- UPSIDE DOWN J.
What are the investigations for Ankylosing Spondylitis?
-Schober’s test- 10cm above the PSIS and 5 cm below- then get them to bend down any distance increase to more than 20cm is normal.
-CRP- this is usually normal
-MRI spine and SI joints
What is the treatment for Ankylosing Spondylitis?
-NSAIDs, Physio, TNF- i and IL-17 inhibitors
What is the typical findings of Psoriatic arthritis?
-(male:female ratio is equal)
-Oligio-arthiritis with dactylitis, which can be symmetrical or asymmetrical (mono arthiritis)
-arthiritis mutilans- this is when the fingers curl and deform is severe very rare forms of psoriatic arthiritis- this is called pencil in a cup deformity
-CRP raised
Treatment for psoriatic arthiritis?
-NSAIDs
-DMARD- disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs
-TNF-inhibitors
IL-17,IL-12/27
What is reactive arthiritis?
-Asymmetrical arthiritis usually of the lower limbs following either dysentery or cervicitis/urethritis.
What are the symptoms associated with reactive arthritis?
-keratoderma blenorrhagica- mucousy secretions from thickened skin on palms and soles of feet
-Uveitis
-balanitis
-enthisitis
What are the investigations and treatment for Reactive arthritis?
-Aspirate- to look for septic arthiritis
-Inflammatory markers should be raised
Treatment:
treat underlying cause- give NSAIDs and joint infections- symptoms should resolve in two years- if it isn’t resolving consider giving DMARDS- especially in HLA-B27+
What are the types of Enteropathic arthritis?
Type 1- this is oligoarthritis, with very strong association with the IBD flare-up
-Type 2- This is polyarthritis with less association with IBD flare-up
What are the causes of Enteropathic arthritis?
-Usually the cause of this type of arthritis is associated with IBD
Treatment of enteropathic arthritis?
-DO NOT USE NSAIDS- this will increase the flare ups of IBD
-Use TNF-i
-DMARDS
Inflammatory back pain symptoms?
IPAIN
insidious onsets
Pain at night- usually gets better when getting back up
Age of onset more than 40
Improves with exercise
No improvement with rest
What is amyloidosis?
This is the build up of amyloid in organs-
What are the symptoms of Systemic lupus erethymatosus?
gloves and sweater approach
- raynauds
-oral ulcers
-mouth dryness
-malar rash
-truncal rash
-Photosensitive rash
SOAP BRAIN
Serositis
Oral ulcers
Arthritis
photosensitivity
Blood disorders- thrombocytopenia, lymphopenia
Renal- glonerulonephritis
ANA positive ( and dsDNA positive)
Immunological tests
Neurological disorders- seizures,psychosis
What are the investigations associated with SLE?
ANA, dsDNA Anti-Ro,Anti-La
antiphospholipid syndrome
raised inflammatory markers- ESR,PV and CRP
-low c4,c3
-Renal biopsy
Skinbiopsy
-Urine analysis
Why are Complements low in SLE?
-They are low because in anay inflammatory condition there is an increased consumption of complements- therefore fewer in the blood
Why is there an increased risk of pregnancy loss in Antiphophospholipid syndrome
Because it prevents the zygote from implanting into the endometrium properly- and can affect the growth of the foetus
What is the treatment fo SLE?
-hydroxychloroquine for rash
-Sun screen
-DMARDS
-for flares use prednisilone
-give advice on the CVD risk