Crystal arthropathies Flashcards
Basically, what is gout
Deposits of urate crystals into a joint
Outline the pathogenesis of gout
Increase levels of uric acid
This can be due to renal underexcretion or excessive intake
Can be triggered by dehydration, trauma and surgery
What is the final compound in the breakdown pathways of purines?
Uric acid
Which foods/drinks is gout associated with?
Red wine
Red meat
Seafood
What is the most commonly affected joint in gout?
First MTP
followed by ankle then knee i think
How does gout present?
Acutely hot swollen red joint, very sore
How long do gout symptoms typically last for?
7-10 days
What are gouty tohpi?
Painless white raised areas of skin
Cased by accumulations of uric acid in the tissues erupting into the skin
How is gout investigated?
Joint aspiration
Gram stain
What do you see on joint aspiration with gout?
Needle shaped negatively birefringent crystals
yellow > blue
How is gout treated acutely?
NSAIDs, corticosteroids, opioids and colchicine
What is used for gout prophylaxis?
Allopurinol
What is the pathogenesis for pseudogout?
Calcium pyrophosphate crystals build up in the joint
Exact cause unknown
What other condition is pseudogout linked to?
Thyroid disorders; haemochromatosis; renal osteodystrophy; Wilson’s disease
Which joint is most commonly affected in psuedogout?
Knee
followed by ankle and wrist
