CONNECTIVE TISSUE DISEASE Flashcards
Examples of heritable connective tissue disorders?
Marian’s syndrome
Ehlers-danlos syndrome
Osteogenesis imperfecta
Alport syndrome
How is marfan’s syndrome inherited?
Autosomal dominant
Pathophysiology of Marfan syndrome?
Defect in the FBN1 gene on chromosome 15 that codes for the protein Fibrillin-1 which is an important component of connective tissue = abnormal connective tissue
Features of marfan’s syndrome?
Tall stature with arm span:height >1.05
Long neck and limbs
High-arched palate
Arachnodactyly (long fingers)
Pes planus
Pes excavatum
Scoliosis >20 degrees
Heart problems - aortic and mitral valve disease
Hypermobile
Lung - repeated pneumothoraces
Eyes - upward lens disclocation, blue sclera and myopia
Dural ectasia
How can marfan’s syndrome affect the heart?
It can cause dilatation of the aortic sinuses in 90% -> aortic aneurysm, aortic dissection, aortic regurgitation
Can also cause mitral valve prolapse in 75%
How can marfan’s syndrome affect the lungs?
It can cause repeat pneumothoraces
How can marfan’s syndrome affect the eyes?
It can cause superotemporal ectopic lentis (upward lens dislocation)
Blue sclera
Myopia
Associated conditions to marfan’s syndrome?
Lens dislocation in the eye
Joint dislocations and pain due to hypermobility
Scoliosis of the spine
Pneumothorax
Gastro-oesophageal reflux
Mitral valve prolapse with regurgitation
Aortic valve prolapse with regurgitation
Aortic aneurysms
Management of marfan’s syndrome?
Minimise BP and HR - lifestyle changes, antihypertensives
PT to strength joints and reduce symptoms from hypermobility
Genetic counselling
Monitoring for marfan’s syndrome?
Annual echocardiograms and ophthalmology review - to check for complications
Bigegst risk of marfan’s syndrome?
Cardiac conditions e.g. aortic dissection and valve prolapses
Life expectancy of marfan’s syndrome?
It’s now nearly 70
What is Ehlers-Danlos syndrome?
A group of genetic conditions involving defects in type III collagen which results in the tissue being more elastic than normal = joint hypermobility and increased elasticity of the skin
Types of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome?
Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
Classical Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
Kyphoscoliotic Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
Most common and least severe type of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome?
Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
Key features of Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome?
Joint hypermobility -> may cause recurrent joint dislocation, joint pain or clicking
Soft, stretchy skin - fragile, easy bruising
Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome can occur alongside due to autonomic dysfunction
May also cause organ prolapses, mitral valve problems or urinary incontinence
Features of classical Ehlers-Danlos syndrome?
Stretchy skin that feels smooth and velvety, can split easily especially over forehead/knees/shins/elbows. Can also bruise easily
Severe joint hypermobility, joint pain, easily dislocate
Abnormal wound healing leaving wide scars
Lumps often develop over pressure points e.g. elbows
Prone to hernias, prolapses, mitral regurgitation and aortic root dilatation
Inheritance pattern of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome?
All autosomal dominant except for kyphoscoliotic Ehlers-Danlos syndrome which is autosomal recessive
Most severe and dangerous form of x Ehlers-Danlos syndrome?
Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
Features of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome?
Thin, translucent skin with visible small blood vessels especially on upper chest and legs
Blood vessel rupture -> serious internal bleeding
GI perforation
Spontaneous pneumothorax
Features of kyphoscoliotic Ehlers-Danlos syndrome?
Hypotonia as a neonate and infant
Kyphoscoliosis as they grow
Significant joint hypermobility and join dislocation is common
Soft, velvety skin that is stretchy, bruises easily and scars
What is POTS?
Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome
When significant tachycardia occurs on sitting or standing and symptoms include presyncope, syncope, headaches, disorientation, nausea and tremor
What is the Beighton score?
A score used to assess for hypermobility and to support a diagnosis of ehlers-danlos syndrome
One point is scored for each side of the body, with a maximum score of 9, if the patient can:
Place their palms flat on the floor with their straight legs (scores only 1)
Hyperextend their elbows
Hyperextend their knees
Bend their thumb to touch their forearm
Hyperextend their little finger past 90 degrees
Management of Ehlers-danlos syndrome?
No cure
Management focuses on maintaining healthy joints, managing symptoms, supporting ADLs and monitoring for complications
PT, OT, moderating activity, psychology
Complications of ehlers-danlos syndrome?
Hypermobility leads to premature osteoarthritis and joint dislocations
Prominent scarring due to fragile skin
Arterial rupture
Organ rupture
Chronic pain and fatigue
What is osteogenesis imperfecta also known as?
Brittle bone disease
What is osteogenesis imperfecta?
A group of inherited disorders of collagen metabolism resulting in bone fragility and fractures
Most common type of osteogenesis imperfecta?
Type 1
Inheritance pattern of osteogenesis imperfecta?
AD
Pathogenesis of osteogenesis imperfecta?
Decreased synthesis of pro-alpha 1 or pro-alpha 2 collagen polypeptides = abnormalities in type 1 collagen
When does osteogenesis imperfecta present?
In children
Presentation of osteogenesis imperfecta?
Fractures following minor trauma
Blue sclera (due to thinning of sclera which reveals the coloured vasculature underneath)
Deafness from early adulthood (secondary to osteosclerosis)
Dental imperfections particularly with formation of teeth
Hypermobility
Short stature
Bone deformities e.g. bowed legs, scoliosis, joint pain
Investigtaions for osteogenesis imperfecta?
None are required but you may want to rule out other causes:
FBC
Vitamin D
Bone profile - Adjusted calcium and Phosphate should be normal
Parathyroid hormone - should be normal
LFTs - ALP normal
Xrays and bone density scans may be done - to diagnose fractures and bone deformities
Genetic testing can be done but isnt routine
Management of osteogenesis imperfecta?
Bisphosphonates to improve bone density
Vitamin D supplements
PT and OT
Mange fractures
What is Alports syndrome?
An inherited condition which causes an abnormal glomerular-basement membrane
Pathophysiology of Alports syndrome?
Defect in the gene which codes for type 4 collagen resulting in abnormal GBM
How is Alports syndrome inherited?
X-linked dominant
Who typically gets Alports syndrome?
More severe in males as X-linked
Females rarely develop renal failure
Presents in childhood usually
Features of Alport syndrome?
microscopic haematuria
progressive renal failure
bilateral sensorineural deafness
lenticonus: protrusion of the lens surface into the anterior chamber
retinitis pigmentosa
Diagnosis of Alports syndrome?
Molecular genetic testing
Renal biopsy
What is seen on renal biopsy in Alports syndrome?
Longitudinal splitting of the lamina densa of the GBM resulting in a ‘basket weave’ appearance
Examples of autoimmune connective tissue disorders?
SLE
RA
Scleroderma
Sjögren’s syndrome
Mixed connective tissue disease
Myosotis
Antiphospholipid syndrome may also be considered it
Who does SLE typically affect?
Females 9:1
Afro-Caribbean’s and Asian communities
20-40 year olds
Pathophysiology of SLE?
Autoimmune - a type 3 hypersensitivity reaction = immune system dysregulationleading to immune complex formation = immune complex deposition can affect any organ (skin, joints, kidneys, brain etc)
Associated with HLA B8, DR2 and DR3
Antibodies in SLE?
Anti-nuclear antibodies
Anti-dsDNA
Anti-sm
Others: anti-Ro and anti-La, antiphospholipid antibodies (bear in mind these aren’t specific)
Course of disease in SLE?
Relapsing-remitting course with flares of worse symptoms and periods where symptoms settle
The result of chronic inflammation can shorten life expectancy
Features of SLE?
General - fever, fatigue, mouth ulcers, lymphadenopathy
Skin - malar rash that spares nasolabial folds, discoid rash, photosensitivity, raynauds, livedo reticularis or non-scarring Alopecia
MSK - arthralgia and non-erosive arthritis
CVD - pericarditis and myocarditis
Resp - pleurisy and fibrosing alveolitis
Renal - proteinuria or glomerulonephritis
Neuro - anxiety, depression, psychosis, seizures
Investigations for SLE?
Urinalysis - proteinuria
FBC - anaemic of chronic disease, low WCC, low Plt
Antibodies - ANA, RF, anti-dsDNA, anti-Smith
ESR and CRP
Complement levels - C3 and C4
Renal biopsy may be done
What is used in SLE to look at disease activity, CRP or ESR and why?
ESR
As during active disease the CRP may be Normal. If CRP is raised then it may indicate an underlying infection