Exam 4 Osteo and Rheumatoid arthritis Flashcards
What is the cause of osteoarthritis?
Degenerative changes in cartilage and the associated bone
What joints are most commonly affected by osteoarthritis?
Distal interphalangeal joint, hips, knees
What patients are at a higher risk of getting OA?
Females, older patients, obesity, repetitive stress, major joint trauma, heredity, congenital/anatomical defects, muscle weakness
Are Herberden’s and Bouchard’s nodes characteristic of OA or RA?
Osteoarthritis
Which is associated with systemic symptoms: OA or RA?
RA
Which has asymmetric involvement: OA or RA?
OA
What arthritis symptoms could be similar to tendinitis or strain?
Pain, worse with activity, inflammation, weight bearing joint instability, crepitus
How long does morning stiffness last in osteoarthritis? Rheumatoid arthritis?
OA: under an hour. RA: over an hour
Which arthritis develops osteophytes?
OA
Which arthritis develops pannus?
RA
Which arthritis has an elevated ESR?
RA
Which arthritis can develop at any age?
RA
Which arthritis has absent or mild inflammation?
OA
What non-pharmacologic first steps can we take in OA?
Psychological support, education, rest/activity balance, weight loss, heat/ice, physical and occupational therapy
What step 2 options are available for OA?
Acetaminophen, topicals (menthol/camphor/oil of wintergreen, capsaicin cream, diclofenac), and glucosamine/chondroitin
How is acetaminophen used?
500mg q4-6h (nmt 6/24 hours) (scheduled)
MAX: 3g/day
2-4 week trial
What patients are at highest risk for hepatotoxicity?
Pts with heavy EtOH intake, pre-existing liver disease, elevated liver enzymes
How do menthol, camphor, and oil of wintergreen work to relieve OA?
Counter-irritant, applied sparingly multiple times per day. Avoid eye contact! More prn use.
How does capsaicin cream work to relieve OA?
Capsaicin depletes substance p, applied sparingly to joint several times daily (2-4).
Can cause burning, stinging, redness
How does diclofenac work to relieve OA?
Local inhibition of COX-2 enzymes. Do not give in combination with systemic NSAIDS
Gel: apply to joint QID, MAX 16g daily
Solution: 10 drops to each joint QID
ADE: burning, stinging, pain, garlic smell/taste from solution vehicle
How does glucosamine/chondroitin work to relieve OA?
It stimulates proteoglycan synthesis from articular cartilage.
Given 500mg/400mg tab PO TID, stick to one herbal product.
Slow onset – >4 weeks (3 month trial)
ADE: gas, gloating, cramping, nausea, increased insulin resistance (concern for DM, HTN, HLD)
What step 3 agents can we use to treat OA?
NSAIDS at analgesic dose, COX-2 selective inhibitors, and NSAID/protective combo products
How long should you try NSAIDS?
1-2 week trial for pain, 2-4 week trial if inflammation present
Try different NSAIDs before moving up a step
What ADEs are we concerned about with NSAIDS?
GI upset, GI ulcers, bleeding, renal dysfunction, increased BP
What patients are at high risk for NSAID ADRs and therefore should receive a selective COX-2 inhibitor or NSAID/protective combo product?
Pts with h/o GI bleed, PUD, on anticoagulant/antiplatelet or glucocorticoid therapy, elderly (>65)
Pts with CHF, HTN, renal dysfunction, dehydration greater risk nephrotoxicity.
What should you monitor with NSAID therapy?
BP, edema/weight gain, BUN/SCr, Hgb/Hct, signs of dehydration
What combination products can we give give in step 3?
NSAID + PPI (naproxen + esomeprazole, Vimovo) and NSAID (diclofenac) + misoprostol (Arthrotec)
What pros and cons are associated with selective COX-2 inhibitors?
Pro: lower incidence of GI bleeds and other GI SEs
Cons: increased cost, risk of CV disease
Same impact on kidneys and INR as other NSAIDs
What options do we have once we reach step 4 with a patient with OA?
Opioid analgesics, tramadol, IA corticosteroid injections, and hyaluronadate injections
What options do we have at step 5 in OA?
Joint resurfacing surgery/joint replacement
What should you always monitor in OA patients, regardless of pharmacotherapy?
Pain, joint stability/function, risk of fall, ROM, X-rays, degree of disability, weight, ADRs from medications, compliance with non-PCOL, QOL issues
How are opioid analgesics used in OA?
PRN for breakthrough pain – start dosing low and go slow
Can also schedule a long acting and use short acting prn
Closely watch total APAP dose!
ADE: nausea, somnolence, constipation, dizziness, drug seeking behavior
How does tramadol work to relieve OA pain?
It blocks the mu receptor, inhibiting norepinephrine and serotonin.
Dosed 25-50mg q 4-6 hours MAX 400mg/day
ADE: nausea, vomiting, dizziness, constipation
How often can IA corticosteroid injections be used?
NMT q4-6 months in isolated joints (temporary or if cant do opioids or surgery)
Peak pain relief in 7-10 days
How do hyaluronate injections help with OA?
They temporarily increase the viscosity of the joint.
Injected once weekly x 3-5 weeks into joint
Max benefit in 8-12 weeks. Dont use over years
What patients are more likely to get rheumatoid arthritis?
Women and those with an HLA genetic predisposition to it.
What causes rheumatoid arthritis?
Chronic autoimmune disease characterized by inflammatory cell infiltration into joints, cytokine release, and pannus formation (inflammed proliferating synovium that invades cartilage and bone, eroding them)
What are the “prodrome” nonspecific symptoms of RA?
Fatigue, weakness, joint pain, low grade fever, loss of appetite, stiffness and muscle ache leading to joint swelling
What score must a patient have from what four categories to be diagnosed with RA?
A score of 6 or more from any of joint involvement (more and smaller is more points), serology (RF or ACPA), symptom duration (greater or less than 6 weeks), and acute phase reactants (ESR or CRP).
What joints are most common in RA?
Hands, wrists, and feet.
Elbows, shoulder, hip, knees, and ankles may also be affected.
There are seven categories of extra-articular manifestations that can present in RA (outside joint and not prodromal). Name them.
Rheumatoid nodules, vasculitis, pulmonary, ocular, cardiac, Felty’s, and other (lymphadenopathy and renal disease [thrombocytosis, anemia] perhaps associated with treatment)
Where are rheumatoid nodules usually located? What type of RA are they usually found in?
Located on pressure points, commonly on hands, elbows, and forearms. 20% of patients are affected, more commonly in erosive disease. Do not require intervention if asymptomatic and no interference with ADL.