Connective Tissue Diseases Flashcards
What is LUPUS?
Systemic Lupus Erythamtosis - autoimmune inflammatory systemic disease
What are the six possible signs of lupus?
- Malar rash
- Photosensitivity
- Oral ulcers
- Neurological disorders - psychosis / seizures
- Renal disorders - protienuria / casts on mid stream urine analysis
- Haematological disorders - hemolytic aneamia / thrombocytopenia / leukopenia
What do renal signs of lupus appear?
When disease is progressed / severe
What is lupus nephritis?
Protienuria / hypertension / haematuria
Which antibodies are associated with SLE?
ANA - Anti nuclear antibodies
Anti DNA
Anti Ro
Anti La
How will somebody present to clinic if they have lupus?
The six possible signs, plus fever, malaise, arthralgia and myalgia
What do anti ro antibodies increase risk of ?
Foetal heart block
Neonatal lupus
What do anti la antibodies increase risk of?
Neonatal lupus
How does pregnancy affect lupus?
It can induce flare ups of lupus and increase the risk of miscarriages and neonatal lupus
What can trigger a flare up of lupus?
Eostrogen
UV radiation
Smoking
Medication
How do you treat lupus flare ups?
IV cyclophosphamide and high dose prednisolone
How do you maintain lupus remission?
NSAIDS
Hydroxychloroquin - arthritis
Immunosuppression
BP control with ACE inhibitors / calcium channel blockers
What is antiphospholipid syndrome?
Anti phospholipid antibodies
Aquired thrombophilia
This leads to an increased clotting tendency
What is thrombophilia?
Increases platelets
What are the consequences of anti phospholipid syndrome?
Thrombophilia leads to increased clotting tendency
Leads to increased risk of renal failure and end organ damage
