focused clinical history taking and examination - rheumatology Flashcards

1
Q

What is the function of synovium

A

Maintenence of intact tissue

lubrication of cartilage

control of synovial volume

Nutrition of the chondrocytes within the joints

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2
Q

What happens to the joints in osteoarthritis

A

the cartilage surface becomes rough

synovium is mildly thicker then usual

bone deformities can occur

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3
Q

What happens to the joint in rheumatoid arthritis

A

The synovial lining becomes thickened due to inflammation

The cartilage becomes thinner

More synovial fluid production due to the thickened synovium

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4
Q

What age group is osteoarthritis more common in

A

over 50 years old

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5
Q

What is a likely cause of mechanical pain at a joint in a younger person

A

hypermobility

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6
Q

Which joints does osteoarthritis most commonly affect

A

1st carpo-metacarpal/ distal interphalangeal and proximal interphalangeal (thumb side)

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7
Q

which joints does rhematoid arthritis more commonly occur

A

MCPs/ PIPs

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8
Q

Where does pseudogout most commonly occur

A

Wrist or knee in the elderly

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9
Q

Where does spondyloarthritis more commonly occur

A

Monoarthritis in the young

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10
Q

Where does gout most commonly occur

A

1st MTP/ankle/knee/elbow

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11
Q

What is early morning stiffness over 30 minutes a sign of

A

Inflammatory arthritis

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12
Q

what is characteristic of inflammatory pain

A

Worse on rest but better with movement

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13
Q

What characterises mechanical pain

A

Worse on movement, better on rest

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14
Q

Which diseases are constitutional symptoms more common in - malaise, fatigue and weight loss

A

Inflammatory arthritis and rare rheumatic diseases such as lupus

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15
Q

What rashes should be looked for in MSK exam

A

psoriasis
erythema nodosum
photosensitive
vasculitic

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16
Q

Where are the common enthesitic points

A

Epicondylitis/achilles and heel

17
Q

If the joint is bony or hard, what is the suggestive diagnosis

A

osteoarthritis

18
Q

If the joint is soft and spongy, what is the suggestive diagnosis

A

synovitis or inflammatory arthritis

19
Q

What is dactylitis suggestive of - swollen digits that look like sausages

A

spondyloarthritis

20
Q

What is the correlation with urate level and gout

A

chronic gout is associated with high urate

acute gout can have high, normal or low urate

21
Q

What is the investigation for a connective tissue disease patient who is unwell

A

urinalysis and blood pressure measurement

22
Q

Who is gout rare in

A

premenopausal women

23
Q

What are the joint fluid analysis which are done

A

separate samples for microbiology and cytology for polarising microscopy

24
Q

What are the parameters that are looked for in diagnosing spondyloarthritis

A

Inflammatory back pain with a good response to NSAIDs

Family history of spondyloarthritis

HLA-B27 positive can aid in diagnosis

Elevated CRP and ESR - inflammatory markers

sacroiliitis on MRI

25
Q

What is systemic vasculitis

A

group of rare autoimmune conditions that cause inflammation of the blood vessels

26
Q

What is fibromyalgia

A

Centralised widespread pain disorder that is characterised by severe pain and other somatic symptoms - more than 3 months

27
Q

What are the symptoms of fibromyalgia

A

widespread pain longer than 3 months
fatigue - physical, cognitive and emotional
Photosensitivity

28
Q
A