Gout, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis [completed] Flashcards
What is gout?
Increases levels of plasma uric acid leading to the deposit of monosodium urate crystals in joints and tissues.
Split into secondary and primary.
What age group is gout more likely in?
Those over 45
Is gout more common in males or females?
Males
What are some risk factors for Gout?
Diet (Red meat and seafood)
Obesity
Alcohol Intake
Genetic predisposition
What medicines can cause secondary gout?
Thiazide and loop diuretics, ciclosporin, levodopa
Gout can be secondary to what other medical conditions?
Renal disease
Diabetes
Hypertension
Dislipidaemia
What joints does gout primarily affect?
Joints in the extremities usually the BIG TOE - lower temperatures in the extremities allow urate to precipitate from plasma.
What are the clinical features of gout?
Acute attack in extremities - most commonly in big toe then ankles and knees
Very painful, hot, red and shiny
Development of tophi
Fever, elevated ESR and prodromal symptoms (nausea, change in mood, loss of appetite)
What are tophi?
bumps of yellow urate under the skin
can take years to develop
How is gout diagnosed?
Gout should be suspected in anyone with:
Rapid onset of overnight pain with redness and swelling in toe knuckles (metatarsophalnageal joints)
Serum urate should be measured:
Urate levels of 360micromol/L or 6mg/L = very likely to be gout
If urate is below this then repeat the test at least 2 weeks after flare has settled.
What else can be used to diagnose gout?
Joint aspiration and microscopy of synovial fluid
x-ray
Ultrasound
CT
How is an acute attack of gout treated?
NSAID, colchicine or a SHORT COURSE of an oral corticosteroid.
What should you do if an NSAID or colchicine are unsuitable or ineffective in a gout flare?
Intramuscular or intraarticular corticosteroid injection
When can Canakinumab (IL-1 inhibitor) be given during a gout flare?
On referral to a rheumatologist, when NSAIDs, colchicine and corticosteroids and unsuitable or ineffective
What non drug advice can be given to patient to manage a gout flareup?
Applying ice packs to the affected area may help to alleviate pain alongside taking prescribed medicine.
How soon after an acute attack should urate lowering therapies be started?
2 to 4 weeks after flare has settled.
Who should a urate lowering therapy be offered to?
multiple or troublesome flares
CKD stages 3-5
People on diuretic therapies
If person has tophi
If person has chronic gouty arthritis
What are the two first line ULTs?
Allopurinol or febuxostat
In people who have gout and major CVD which ULT should be offered?
Allopurinol
What is second line treatment if the first ULT is not tolerated or ineffective?
Swap to the other ULT
The usual target serum urate in people starting ULTs is 360micromol/L or 6mg/dL. When would this target be even lower?
If person has tophi or chronic gouty arthritis.
What should be offered alongside starting a low-dose ULT and why?
Colchicine until target serum urate levels have been reached - as ULTs can sometimes cause acute attacks.
If colchicine is not suitable then consider LOW DOSE NSAID or LOW DOSE ORAL CORTICOSTEROID
If prescribing NSAIDs for gout what else may need to be given?
PPI for gastroprotection
What should a patient do if they experience a rash whilst taking allopurinol?
Stop taking it immediately and let their doctor know - may be Stevens-Johnson syndrome
What can be done if the rash from allopurinol is only mild?
It can be gradually reintroduced but should be stopped if rash recurs
If patient has a prior history of hypersensitivity to allopurinol there is also a risk of….
rash and hypersensitivity to febuxostat. Stop taking if these symptoms occur.
How often should a person taking a ULT have their serum urate checked?
every year
If a person is on allopurinol or febuxostat should they stop taking it during attacks?
No
What self care-advice can be offered to patients with gout?
- Limiting purine intake (seafood, red meat, pork)
- No more than 14 units of alcohol a week
- Drink a lot of water
- Lower BMI
What is rheumatoid arthritis?
An overreaction of the immune system causing the release of inflammatory cells within a joint –> releases cytokines which causes activity of proteolytic enzymes and destruction of bone and catilage