General

Question 1

Give 3 causes of inflammatory joint pain.

Answer 1

1. Autoimmune disease e.g. RA, vasculitis, connective tissue disease.
2. Crystal arthritis.
3. Infection.

Question 2

Give 2 causes of non-inflammatory joint pain.

Answer 2

1. Degenerative e.g. osteoarthritis.

2. Non-degenerative e.g. fibromyalgia.

Question 3

What are the 5 cardinal signs of inflammation?

Answer 3

1. Rubor (redness).
2. Calor (heat).
3. Dolor (pain).
4. Tumor (swelling).
5. Loss of function.

Question 4

How does inflammatory pain differ from degenerative non-inflammatory pain?

Answer 4

Inflammatory pain tends to ease with use whereas degenerative pain increased with use.

Question 5

Are you more likely to see swelling in inflammatory or degenerative pain?

Answer 5

In inflammatory pain you are likely to see synovial swelling. There is often no swelling in degenerative pain.

Question 6

Name 2 inflammatory markers that can be detected in blood tests.

Answer 6

1. ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate).

2. CRP.

Question 7

Explain why ESR levels are raised in someone with inflammatory joint pain.

Answer 7

Inflammation leads to increased fibrinogen which means the RBC’s clump together. The RBC’s therefore fall faster and so you have an increased ESR.

Question 8

Explain why CRP levels are raised in someone with inflammatory joint pain.

Answer 8

Inflammation leads to increased levels of IL-6. CRP is produced by the liver in response to IL-6 and therefore is raised.