Crystal Arthropathies Flashcards
Gout is a disorder of what metabolism
Uric acid metabolism
What causes gout
Deposition of mono sodium rate crystals in soft tissues due to disordered uric acid metabolism
What triggers a gout attack
Uncoated mono sodium rate crystals or sudden large change in crystal concentration
Are monosodium irate crystals inert or active when coated with serum proteins
Inert
Cycle of gout attack
Attack starts -> crystals form -> WBC attack -> cell popped by crystals -> proteins released -> further inflammation + pain -> proteins decr pH allowing more crystals to form
Is gout usually mono or polyarticular
Monoarticular
Podagra
Gout affecting 1st MTP joint in big toe
Most common joints effected by gout
1st MTP
other small lower extremity joints
How does a gout attack begin
Suddenly
Max intensity in 8-12hrs
Are men or women affected by gout more
Men
Characteristics of gout affected joint
Red
Hot
Exquisitely tender
Pain starts acutely usually at night
Why do untreated 1st attacks resolve spontaneously in less than 2 weeks
Crystals get coated by serum proteins or phagocytosed
How does gout progress over time
Attacks get closer,more painful, and last longer
Attacks eventually become continuous
Becomes polyarticular
Can affect other synovial structures
Gouty tophi
Nodular masses of monosodium urate crystals in soft tissues
What cells surround ms urate crystals in tophi
Lymphocytes
Macrophages
Foreign body giant cells
Uric acid is an end stage by product of which metabolism
Purine metabolism
How is Uric acid removed
Urine
Faeces
What serum urate level is saturation
6.8mg/dL