CT Disorders (McGowan) Flashcards
This test is for autoimmune disease, but is NOT specific. Further testing needs to be done to get a more specific diagnosis. Performed by indirect immunofluorescence, and a titer of < 1:40 is normal/negative (higher the ratio, then it is positive or clinically significant).
(+) ANA (anti-nuclear Ab)
Do autoimmune diseases occur mostly in males or females?
Females
***Overall! There are individual diseases that appear more in males than females.
Minority populations are more at risk and have increased severity of _________ diseases. Much is unknown as to why.
Rheumatologic
What are the major diffuse CT diseases (aka collagen vascular disorders) discussed?
SLE Scleroderma (aka Systemic Sclerosis) Sjogren Syndrome Dermatomyositis (DM) Polymyositis (PM) Inclusion Body Myositis (IBM) RA (***discussed in a later block!)
This disease is multi system, and is classified as an inflammatory autoimmune disorder. It has auto-Abs to nuclear Ags, with immune complexes making it a type III hypersensitivity.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
SLE can have spontaneous remissions and relapses, and its severity varies. Occurs more in females and AA/Hispanics. What are genetic/environmental factors associated with it?
Sex hormones/X-linked?
UV light
Viruses (EBV)
What is the main cardiopulmonary feature that SLE patients can have?
Pericarditis
***Constant “crushing” sharp chest pain that is worse with cough or deep inspiration. Worse when supine. Diffuse ST elevation on ECG.
Why are SLE patients also at increased risk of myocardial infarction?
Due to accelerated atherosclerosis
This is the term for the “butterfly” rash that presents as an erythematous eruption over cheeks and nasal bridge in SLE patients. It spares the nasolabial folds.
Malar Rash
When ordering labs (CBC, ESR, ANA, etc.) what are the Ab tests we should use to specify for SLE?
(+) anti-ds DNA – means Abs to dsDNA
(+) Sm (Smith) – means Abs to Smith
***Remember, there is (+) ANA but this just means there’s an autoimmune issue. NOT specific!
In SLE, if there are (+) anti-ds DNA Abs, then what does that mean for disease activity?
This correlates with disease activity (means the disease is still active at this time).
In SLE, if there are (+) Sm Abs, then what does that mean for disease activity?
This does NOT correlate with disease activity (means disease is not currently active).
In SLE, complement activation promotes inflammation. So if there is decreased ______ or ______ that means there is increased consumption of it. Suggests disease activity, and it will return to normal levels when in remission.
C3
C4
This is a non-infectious type of endocarditis that can present in SLE.
Libman-Sacks Endocarditis
- **The others are infectious and include:
- Rheumatic Heart Disease
- Infectious Endocarditis
- Non-Bacterial Thrombotic Endocarditis
What are the main treatments used for SLE?
– Avoid sun exposure, wear sunscreen
– NSAIDs
– Glucocorticoids (topical or systemic - also called “corticosteroids”)
– Hydroxychloroquine
Briefly explain what happens in the early years after diagnosis of SLE.
– Infections occur, especially with opportunistic organisms.
– Active SLE, chiefly due to kidney or CNS disease.
Briefly explain what happens in the later years of SLE.
– Accelerated atherosclerosis (linked to chronic inflammation, becomes major cause of death due to myocardial infarction) 5x higher incidence of MI in pts with SLE than general population!
– Thromboembolic events become increasingly frequent causes of mortality
What are ways to manage/prevent SLE?
– Minimize other conventional risk factors for atherosclerosis (ie, HTN, obesity, etc.)
– Avoid smoking
– Influenza vaccination every year
– Pneumococcal vaccination every 5 years
– Preventive cancer screening (due to increased risk of malignancy in SLE pts)
What corticosteroid use (in SLE) what needs to be monitored?
– Monitor for avascular necrosis of bone (most commonly hips and knees)
– Long term use, need to monitor for osteoporosis
This disease can occur as a primary disease in patients without SLE, or it can occur as a secondary disease in 1/3 of SLE patients.
Anti-Phospholipid Antibody Syndrome (APS)
Describe Type One Ab of APS.
Causes a biologic false-positive test for syphilis. Need to use non-treponemal tests (RPR and VRDL).
***If testing for syphilis on patient with APS, better to use Treponemal Ab test!
Describe Type Two Ab of APS.
Lupus anticoagulant – this is a misnomer because there is actually an increased risk factor for venous and arterial thrombosis and miscarriage.
Describe Type Three Ab of APS.
Anti-cardiolipin Abs are present, which are directed at a serum cofactor Beta-2GPI.
How often should Abs be measured for APS?
Abs should be measured on two occasions 12 weeks apart.
What is treatment for APS?
Anticoagulation – continued indefinitely
What is a characteristic of SLE/APS Retinopathy?
Cotton Wool Spots
Lupus-Like Syndrome/Drug-Induced Lupus promotes the _________ of DNA. There is also no _______ or _______ symptoms like in SLE.
Demethylation
Renal
Neurologic
Lupus-Like Syndrome/Drug-Induced Lupus will have a (+) ANA and a…
(+) Anti-histone Abs
***Occurs in 95%
What are some associated medications that can cause Drug-Induced Lupus?
- Hydralazine
- Isoniazid (INH)
- Minocycline
- TNF Inhibitors
- Quinidine
- Chlorpromazine
- Methyldopa
- Procainamide
What type of drug can cause flare-ups in SLE (but do not cause Drug-Induced Lupus)?
Sulfa Antibiotics
Neonatal Lupus affects children born of mothers with what Abs?
Anti-Ro (SSA)
OR
Anti-La (SSB)
Transient symptoms of Neonatal Lupus include rashes, thrombocytopenia, hemolytic anemia, and arthritis. The main symptom that is the most worrisome is…
Permanent complete heart block (occurs to infant)
This is a variant of cutaneous lupus, and can occur independently or manifest from SLE. Most commonly occurs on the head.
Discoid Lupus Erythematosus (DLE)
DLE is characterized by well-defined inflammatory ________ that evolve into atrophic, disfiguring scars. There is usually concern over the appearance of skin lesions and patients desire treatment.
Plaques
What is the treatment for DLE?
Photoprotection and topical anti-inflammatory agents or systemic antimalarial drugs.
***Early treatment of DLE is essential to minimize scarring!
This disease occurs most often in 30-60 yo females. It is progressive and has a hallmark of thickening and hardening of the skin. There is also microangiopathy and fibrosis of the skin and visceral organs.
Scleroderma (SSc)
In Scleroderma, there is also an obliteration of what? This causes the dry itchy skin.
Obliteration of eccrine sweat and sebaceous glands
What are the 3 subtypes of Scleroderma?
Localized
Limited (CREST)
Diffuse
Scleroderma is multisystem, the main one being the skin. _______ _______ _______ is seen in virtually all patients (usually the first symptom in Caucasian patients), and there are changes in skin pigmentation (usually first symptom in African Americans).
Secondary Raynaud Phenomenon
This type of Scleroderma has the following characteristics:
– Occurs in children
– Discreet areas of discolored skin induration
– NO Raynaud’s
– NOT systemic
Localized
Localized Scleroderma is histologically indistinguishable from other forms. Patches are called ________, and coalesced patches are generalized ________.
Morphea
Morphea
This type of Scleroderma involves the fingers, toes, face/neck, and distal extremities. Raynaud’s can be one of the first symptoms, and it presents with CREST syndrome.
Limited Scleroderma (lcSSc)
This is a major symptom of Limited Scleroderma (systemic) that presents as shortness of breath.
Pulmonary HTN
Limited Scleroderma has an indolent course (delayed onset and slow progression) and vascular manifestations are more pronounced. Renal crisis is (COMMON/UNCOMMON).
Uncommon
Limited Scleroderma involves CREST syndrome, which is what?
C = Cutaneous calcinosis
R = Raynaud’s phenomenon (spasm of blood vessels in response to cold or stress)
E = Esophageal dysfunction (acid reflux, GERD)
S = Sclerodactyly (thickening and tightening of skin on fingers and hands)
T = Telangiectasias (dilation of capillaries causing red marks on surface of skin)
In Diffuse Scleroderma (Diffuse Cutaneous Systemic Sclerosis) there are phases, which are…
Inflammatory edematous phase –> Fibrotic phase
Skin induration, hyper/hypo-pigmentation –> loss of body hair and impaired sweating
Fibrotic joints –> stiffness
Diffuse Scleroderma can present with fatigue, stiffness, malaise, arthralgia, weakness, carpal tunnel, and Raynaud (later than in Limited Scleroderma). There is also internal organ involvement, such as _______ ______ and _______ _______ _______.
Renal Crisis
***May see hemolytic anemia on labs during renal crisis!
Interstitial Lung Disease
These are the primary causes of morbidity and mortality in Limited and Diffuse Systemic Sclerosis.
- Interstitial lung disease (***Diffuse)
- Pulmonary A. HTN (***Limited)
***2 others are = Aspiration Pneumonia and Increased incidence of bronchoalveolar carcinoma. Remember top 2 for sure!
What does interstitial lung disease present with and how is it diagnosed (in diffuse scleroderma)?
Presents = Chronic dry cough, dyspnea, fine “velcro” crackles (rales)
Diagnosis = Pulmonary function test (PFT) and Lung CT
How can we diagnose PAH in limited scleroderma?
2D ECG or Right heart catheterization (gold standard to show elevated pulm artery pressure)
Renal crisis is uncommon but life-threatening. It is more common in Diffuse SSc and is considered a medical emergency. It is characterized by the abrupt onset of…
- Malignant HTN
- Hemolytic anemia
- Progressive renal insufficiency
High doses of what medication can induce a renal crisis?
Glucocorticoids
A major symptom of GI issues associated with SSc is Barrett Esophagus, which can cause increased risk of…
Esophageal Adenocarcinoma
This is the main MSK symptom associated with SSc.
Carpal tunnel syndrome
What can happen to the thyroid in SSc?
Hypothyroid from thyroid fibrosis
For a diagnostic workup in SSc, we want to pay particular attention to the blood pressure. Why is this?
It is a heralding feature of renal disease!