Connective Tissue Disease Flashcards
what is the general pathology behind connective tissue disease?
autoimmunity
antibodies produced against the cells of the body
true or false: SLE affects more males than females
false
females nine times more than males
in which ethnic groups is the prevalence of SLE higher?
afro-americans
afro-caribbeans
asians
list general symptoms of SLE
fatigue
skin changes
malaise
joint pain
list skin changes in SLE
malar/butterfly/discoid rash. sparing nasolabial fold
photosensitivity
true or false: SLE can be a totally cutaneous disease
true
list musculoskeletal changes in SLE
joint pain
non deforming arthritis
myopathy
what is the difference between mild, moderate and severe SLE?
mild - simple cutaneous changes
moderate - arthritis, effusions etc.
severe - organ threatening disease
what are the main screening tests for SLE?
FBC
urinalysis
renal function
antibodies
what are the main antibodies that are raised in SLE?
ANA
anti-ds-DNA
anti-Sm
ENA
true or false: ANA is the most diagnostic antibody in SLE
false
anti double stranded DNA is the most specific
list the general treatment for SLE
NSAIDs
anti malarial
steroids
immunosuppressants
what is the anti malarial used for SLE?
hydroxychloroquine
true or false: steroids can be used as monotherapy in SLE
false
what is antiphospholipid syndrome?
an autoimmune disease where antibodies are produced against phospholipids, increasing the risk of blood clots
list the potential lab findings of anti phospholipid syndrome
positive anti phospholipid antibody
lupus anticoagulation activity
anti beta 2 glycoprotein
list the potential clinical findings in APS
thrombosis
pregnancy loss
what is sjogren’s syndroem?
autoimmune destruction of exocrine glands
what is systemic sclerosis?
autoimmune inflammation and thickening of the skin due to increased collagen deposition
what happens in raynaud’s phenomenon?
reduced blood flow
limited systemic sclerosis was known as CREST - what does this stand for?
calcinosis raynaud's esophageal dysmotility sclerodactyly telangiectasia
which antibodies are associated with systemic sclerosis?
anti-centromere (limited)
anti Scl 70 (diffuse)
which antibody is associated with sjogren’s syndrome?
anti Ro
anti La
