Connective Tissue Disorders Flashcards
What is rheumatoid arthritis?
Chronic joint inflammation can result in joint damage
Site of inflammation = synovium
Associated with autoantibodies (RF and Anti-CCP)
Which autoantibodies are associated with rheumatoid arthritis?
Rheumatoid factor
Anti-CCP
What is the site of inflammation for rheumatoid arthritis?
Synovium
What is ankylosing spondylitis?
- Chronic spinal inflammation that can result in spinal fusion and deformity- spinal fusion is detected on the radiograph as a ‘Bamboo spine’.
- Site of inflammation includes the enthesis
- No autoantibodies (Seronegative).
What are the consequences with ankylosing spondylitis?
Spinal fusion
How is spinal fusion evidently seen on a radiograph?
Bamboo spine
What are the examples of seronegative spondyloarthopathies?
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Reactive arthritis (Reiter’s Syndrome)
- Arthritis associated with psoriasis (Psoriatic arthritis)
- Arthritis associated with gastrointestinal inflammation (enterohepatic synovitis).
What is SLE?
- Chronic tissue inflammation in the presence of antibodies directed against self-antigens.
- Multi-site inflammation – predominantly in the joints, skin and kidney.
- The formation of immune complexes Type III hypersensitivity.
What type of hypersensitivity is associated with SLE?
Type 3 hypersensitivity -due to formation of immune complexes
Which three main autoantibodies are associated with SLE?
Antinuclear antibodies
Anti-double stranded DNA antibodies
Anti-phospholipid antibodies
Which typeof rash is associated with SLE?
Malar rash
Which sex is mainly affected by SLE?
Female
In which age group is SLE is diagnosed typically?
15-45 years
What are the key features of SLE?
Arthralgias and arthritis are typically non-erosive
Serum autoantibodies are characteristic
What is Raynaud’s phenomenn?
Intermittent vasospasm of digits on exposure to cold
1) Vasospasm - blanching of the digit
2) Cyanosis
3) Reactive hyperaemia
What are the three stages of Raynaud’s?
1) Vasospasm
2) Cyanosis
3) Reactie hyperaemia
What are the colour changes seen in Raynaud’s?
White to blue to red
Why does cyanosis occur after vasospasm in Raynaud’s?
As static venous blood deoxygenates
Why does reactive hyperaemia occur after vasospasm and cyanosis in Raynaud’s?
Transient increase in organ blood flow, as a response to occlusion
What are the clinical manifestations of SLE?
- Malar Rash – Erythema that spares the nasolabial fold
- Photosensitive rash
- Mouth ulcers
- Hair loss
- Raynaud’s phenomenon
- Arthralgia and arthritis (sometimes)
- Serositis (pericarditis, pleuritis, less commonly – peritonitis)
- Renal disease – glomerulonephritis (lupus nephritis)
- Cerebral disease – ‘cerebral lupus’ – psychosis.
What is the pathogenesis of SLE?
Apoptosis leads to translocation of nuclear antigens to membrane surface
Impaired clearance of apoptotic cells results in enhanced presentation of nuclear antigens to immune cells
B-cell autoimmunity
4) Tissue damage by antibody effector mechanisms - complement activation and Fc receptor engagement
What risks are associated with anti-phospholipid (cardiolipin) antibodies in SLE?
There is an increased risk of arterial and venous thrombosis
What autoantibody is present in systemic vasculitis?
Antinuclear cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA)
Which autoantibodies are screened when ANA positive?
- Anti-Ro
- Anti-La
- Anti-centromere
- Anti-RNP
- Anti-ds-DNA antibodies
- Anti-Scl-70.
What are the two main examples of cytoplasmic antibodies?
Anti-tRNA synthetase
Anti-ribosomal P antibodies
Which antibody is associated in neonatal lupus syndrome?
Anti-La
What is the main clinical risk in a neonate with neonatal lupus syndrome?
Permanent heart block - conduct ECG