GP Flashcards
what is the pathophysiology of acne?
chronic inflammation +/- localised infection in pileosebaceous units within the skin. increased sebum preduction traps keratin and blocks the pulosebaceous unit leading to swelling and inflammation. Androgenic hormones increase production of sebum => increased in puberty
what are macules?
flat marks on skin
what are papules?
small lumps on skin
what are pustules?
small lumps with pus
what are comedones?
skin coloured papules due to blocked pilosebaceous units
what are blackheads
open comedones with black pigmentation in the middle
what are ice pink scars?
small indentations that remain in skin after acne lesion heals
what are hypertrophic scars?
small lumps in skin that remain after acne lesions heal
what are rolling scars?
irregular wave like irregularies of the skin that remain after acne lesions heal
what acne medication if teratogenic?
retinoids
what is general advice for acne?
avoid overwashing
use non-alkaline synthetic detergent BD
avoid oil based cosmetics and suncream
avoid picking
treatment may irritate skin initially
not enough evidence to support diets for acne
what treatments can be used for acne?
Topical benzoyl peroxide - reduces inflammation toxic to p.acnes bacteria
Topical retinoids - slow sebum production
Topical Abx - clindamycin (+benzoyl peroxide)
Oral Abx - lymecycline
OCP - stabilise female hormones
what contraceptive pill is best at reducing acne?
COCP (co-cyprindiol (Dianette)) - anti-androgenic effect
what is the last line option for acne (specialist)?
oral retinoids (isotretinoin(accutane))
what are 4 side effects of accutane?
dry skin and lips
photosensitivity of skin
depression, anxiety, aggression, suicidal ideation
Stevens-johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis
what are the WHO ranges for anaemia?
Hb <11 g/dL <5 years
Hb <11.5 g/dL 5-11
Hb <12 women + 12-14 yo
Hb <13 g/dl >15 males
what are 5 causes of normocytic anaemia? mnumonic
AAAHH
Acute blood loss
Anaemia of chronic disease
Aplastic anaemia
Haemolytic anaemia
Hypothyroidism
what are 5 causes of microcytic anaemia?
TAILS
Thalassemia
Anaemia of chronic disease
Iron deficiency
lead Poisoning
Sideroblasticanaemia
what are 6 causes of macrocytic anaemia?
FAT RBCs
Foetus
Alcohol
Thyroid disease - hypo
Reticulocytosis
B12 and folate deficiency
Cirrhosis and liver disease
where is iron absorbed?
mainly duodenum and jejunum
what is the normal range for MCV?
80-100 femtolitres
what are 5 specific signs of IDA?
Pica
hair loss
koilonychia
angular cheilitis
atrophic glossitis
what change occurs in barret’s oesophagus?
stratified squamous to simple columnar epithelium
what are 5 triggers for GORD?
greasy/spicy/acidic food
tea and coffee
alcohol
NSAIDs
Stress
Smoking
what are GORD red flags?
Dysphagia
> 55 yo
weight loss
Reflux
Treatment resistance
what is the medical management for GORD?
PPIs - omeprazole, lansoprazole
Histamine h2 receptor antagonists - famotidine
what are 4 investigations for H Pylori?
stool antigen tet
urea breath test
H.pylori antibody test
rapid urease test - during endoscopy
what is the management of h pylori?
triple therapy
PPI
2x ABx - amoxicillin + clarithromycin
what are the 4 types of hiatus hernia?
1 - sliding
2 - rolling
3 - combination
4 - large opening allowing additional abdo organs into thorax
what surgery can be done for hiatus hernia?
laparoscopic funcoplication
what are 3 management options for barrets oesophagus?
PPIs
endoscopic monitoring
endoscpoic ablation
what is metaplasia?
change in type of cells
what is dysplasia?
change to abnormal cells
what is zollinger-ellison syndrome?
rare condition of duodenal or pancreatic tumours which secrete excess gastrin causing severe dyspepsia, diarrhoea and peptic ulcers
may be associated with MEN1 which also causes parathyroid and pituitary tumours
what are 4 risk factors for diverticular disease?
increased age
low fibre diets
obesity
NSAIDs
what kind of laxatives should be avoided in diverticulosis?
stimulant laxitives
what is the management of uncomplicated diverticulitis?
oral co-amoxiclav 5 days
analgesia
clear liquids and no solid food until symptoms improve
Follow up in a few days
what is the management for severe diverticulitis?
nil by mouth or clear fluids only
IV Abx
IV fluids
Analgesia
Urgent investigations +/- surgery
what are 6 complications of diverticulitis?
perforation
peritonitis
peridiverticular abscess
large haemorrhage
fistula
ileus/obstruction
what is the blood supply to the anal cushions?
rectal arteries
what are 4 treatments for heamorrhoids?
anusol - astrigents shrink haemorrhoids
anusol HC - + hydrocortisone
germoloids - contain lidocaine
proctosedyl ointment - cinchocaine and hydrocortisone
what are 4 non-surgical options for haemorrhoids?
rubber band ligation
injection sclerotherapy
infra-red coagulopathy
bipolar diathermy
what are 3 surgical options for haemorrhoids?
haemorrhoidal artery ligation
haemorrhoidectomy
stapled haemorrhoidectomy
what are thrombosed haemorrhoids?
strangulated haemorrhoids - very painful but will resolve with time (several weeks)
what tool is used for cardiovascular risk assessment?
QRISK3
what counts as high blood pressure in clinic?
> 140/90 mmHg
what counts as hypertension in ambulatory monotoring?
> 135/85 mmHg
what 4 tests can be done for end organ damage in HTN diagnosis?
Urine sample for estimated albumin:creatinine ratio and haematuria
HbA1c, electrolytes, eGFR, creatinine, cholesterol
Fundoscopy - for retinopathy
ECG
what is the first line intervention for HTN?
LIFESTYLE ADVICE
what is the first line medication for HTN in those with T2DM or <55 and of non-african family origin?
ACEi (ramipril) or ARB (candestartan)
what is the first line medication for HTN in someone >55 or of african family origin?
Calcium channel blockers - amlodipine
what can be used for HTN if a calcium channel blocker isn’t tolerated or as 3rd line medication?
thiazide-like diuretic (indapamide, bendroflumethiazide)
what is the management of HTN uncontrolled by one agent?
+ CCB/ACEi
OR Thiazide-like diuretic
what is the management of HTN uncontrolled by two agents?
CCB + ACEi AND Thiazide-like diuretic
what is the management of HTN not controlled by three agents?
Consider Spironolactone (If K+ <4.5)
Consider Beta blocker/Alpha blocker (if K+ >4.5)
what is classed as severe hypertension?
180/120 mmHg
what is stage 1 HTN?
Clinical - 140/80 mmHg to 159/99mmHg
Home - 135/85 - 149/94
what is stage 2 HTN?
Clinical - 160/100 - 180/120
Home - 155/95 - 175/115
what is stage 3 HTN?
180/120 +
what is the white coat effect?
discrepancy of 22/10mmHg between clinical and home BP
what are 5 renal causes of HTN?
CKD
Chronic pyelonephritis
Diabetic nephropathy
Glomerulonephritis
Polycystic kidney disease
what are 2 vascular causes of secondary HTN?
coarctation of aorta
rental artery stenosis
what are 5 endocrine causes of HTN?
Primary hyperaldosteronism
Phaeochromocytoma
Cushings syndrome
Acromegaly
Hyper/Hypothyroid
what are 5 drugs that can cause HTN?
alcohol + other substances
COCP/Oestrogens
Eythropoietin
corticosteroids
NSAIDs
what are 3 things that conjunctivitis will not cause?
Pain
Vision loss
Photophobia
what is the presentation of viral conjunctivitis?
clear discharge from eyes, associated with cold symptoms
may have tender periauricular lymph nodes
what are 3 differentials of painless red eye?
conunctivitis
episcleritis
subconjunctival haemorrhage
what are 7 differentials for painful red eye?
glaucoma
anterior uveitis
scleritis
corneal abrasions or ulceration
keratitis
foreign body
trauma or chemical injury
what medication can be given for bacterial conjunctivitis?
chloramphenicol and fuscidic acid eye drops
which patients should always be referred to ophthalmology with conjuncitivitis?
<1 month
could be gonococcal infection - can cause sight loss and pneumonia
what is the management of allergic conjunctivitis?
antihistamines
mast cell stabilisers - with chronic seasonal symptoms
what is stage 1 HTN?
140/80 mmHg to 159/99mmHg CLINICALLY
what is stage 2 HTN?
160/100 mmHg to 180/120mmHg CLINICALLY
what is stage 3 HTN?
> 180/120 mmHg
what is the middle ear?
between tympanic membrane and inner ear (cochlea, vestibular apparatus and nerves)
what is the most common causative organism for otitis media?
strep pneumoniae
what are 3 other common causative organisms for otitis media?
H. Influenzae
Moraxella catarrhalis
Staph aureus
what are 5 presenting features of otitis media?
ear pain
reduced hearing
feeling generally unwell - fever
URTI symptoms
balance issues
what are 8 complications of otitis media?
hearing loss
perforated tympanic membrane
labrynthitis
mastoiditis
abcess
fascial nerve palsy
meningitis
what is the first line treatment for otitis media?
amoxicillin 5-7 days
clarithromycin - in penicillin allergy
what is the management of otitis media in pregnant women allergic to penicillins?
erythromycin
what are the two most common causes of otitis externa?
pseudomonas aeruginosa
staph aureaus
what kind of bacteria is pseudomonas aeruginosa?
gram neg aerobic bacilli
naturally resistant to many antibiotics - tx with aminoglycosides (gent) or quinolones (ciproflox)
what are 4 typical symptoms in otitis externa?
ear pain
discharge
itchiness
conductive hearing loss
what 4 things can be seen o/e in otitis externa?
erythema and swelling
tenderness
pus/discharge in ear canal
lymphadenopathy
what is the treatment for mild otitis externa?
acetic acid 2% (earcalm)
can also be used prophylactically
what is the management of moderate otitis externa?
topical Abx + steroid
neomycin + dexamethasone and acetic acid (OTOMISE)
Gentamicin and hydrocortisone
ciproflaxacin and dexamethasone
what is a contraindication to using gentamicin/neomycin in otitis externa?
perforated tympanic membrane - they are ototoxic
what is the management of sever/systemic otitis externa?
oral Abx - fluclox/clarithromycin
what is the treatment for fungal otitis externa?
clotrimazole ear drops
what is malignant otitis externa?
severe otitis externa where infection spreads to temporal bone. Causes severe persistant headache and fever
granulation tissue is found at junction between bone and cartilage in ear canal
what is the most common causative organism of bacterial tonsilitis?
Group A strep - strep pyogenes
What is the treatment for bacterial tonsilitis?
1st - penicilin V (phenoxymethylpenicillin) 10 days
penicillin allergy - clarithromycin
what is the second most common bacterial cause of tonsilitis?
strep pneumnoniae
what 2 criteria can be used to determine the probability that tonsilitis is bacterial?
Centor criteria
FeverPAIN score
what is the centor criteria?
for bacterial tonsilitis
fever >38
tonsillar exudates
absence of cough
tender anterior cervical lymph nodes
score >3 => offer Abx
what is the feverPAIN score
for bacterial tonsilits
Fever in last 24 hours
Purulence
Attended in 3 days of onset
Inflamed tonsils
No cough or coryza
score >4 - consider Abx
what are 6 complications of bacterial tonsilits?
peritonsillar abcess (quinsey)
otitis media
scarlet fever
rheumatic fever
post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis
post-streptococcal reactive arthritis
what is acute sinusitis?
<12 weeksw
what is chronic sinusitis?
> 12 weeks
what are the 4 pairs of paranasal sinuses?
frontal - above eyebrows
maxillary - either side of nose
ethmoid - in middle of nasal cavity
sphenoid - in back of nasal cavity
what are 4 causes of sinusitis?
infection
allergies
obstruction of drainage - foreign body, polyps
smoking
what is the typical presentation of acute sinusitis? 5
nasal congestion and discharge
facial pain/headache
facial pressure
facial swelling
loss of smell
what 5 things may be seen o/e of sinusitis?
tenderness to palpation
inflammation and oedema of nasal mucosa
discharge
fever
signs of systemic infection
how long should you wait to give abx for sinusitis?
10 days
what is the management of sinusitis?
high dose steroid nasal spray for 14 days - 200mcg Mometasone BD
Delayed till day 17 phenoxymethylpenicillin
what are 4 risk factors for vaginal thrush?
increased oestrogen (high in preggo)
Poorly controlled diabetes
immunosupression
Broad spectrum Abx
what is the presentation of vaginal thrush?
thick white unsmelly discharge
vulval and vaginal itching, irritation or discomfort
what are 6 complications of vaginal thrush?
erythema
fissures
oedema
dysparaunia
dysuria
excoriation
what is the vaginal pH of candida?
<4.5
what is the vaginal pH of trichomonas?
> 4.5
what is the management of vaginal thrush?
antifungal cream - clotrimazole (one off)
pessary - clotrimazole (one off 500mg or 3 doses 200mg)
oral - fluconazole (one off 150mg)
what is a warning that should be given with antifungal creams/pessaries?
can damage latex condoms and prevent spermacides - use alternative protection for 5 days
what is the most common fungus that causes ringworm?
trichophyton
what the name of ringworm?
tinea
tinea pedis - athletes foot
tinea capitis - ringworm of scalp
tinea cruis - groin
tinea coporis - body
onchomycosis - nail
what does ringworm look like?
itchy rash
erythematous, scaly and well demarcated
one or multiple rings with more prominent edges
what is the management of cutaneous fungal infections?
cream - terbinafine, clotrimazole, miconazole
shampoo - ketocanazole
oral - fluconazole, griseofulvin, itraconazole
nail laquer - amorolfine (6-12 months)
what is a kerion?
an abscess caused by a fungal infection most often causes by tinea capitis - causes boggy pus filled lump on scalp with localised alopecia
what are 6 risk factors for nappy rash?
delayed changing
irritant soaps/vigorous cleaning
poorly absorbant nappies
diarrhoea
oral Abx - predispose to candida
pre-term infants
what is the difference between nappy rash and candida infection?
candida doesnt spare skin folds
candida has larger red macules
candida has a well demarcated scally border
candida has satelite lesions
what are the 3 most common bacteria in cellulitis?
staph aureus
group A strep (pyogenes)
group C strep (dysgalactiae)
what classification is used for cellulitis?
eron classification
what is the management for cellulitis?
1 - flucloxacillin
clarithromycin
clindamycin
co-amox
what are 6 risk factors for OA?
obesity
age
occupation
trauma
female
Fhx
what are 5 x-ray findings of OA? mneumonic
JOSSA
joint space narrowing
osteophytes
Subarticular sclerosis
Subchondral cysts
Abnormalites of bone contour
what are 3 hand signs in OA?
heberden’s nodes
bouchard’s nodes
squaring at base of thumb
what joint does heberden’s nodes affect?
DIP
what joint does bouchard’s nodes affect?
PIP
what are 4 side effects of NSAIDs?
GI - gastritis, ulcers
renal - AKI (acute tubular necrosis), CKD
CV - HTN, heart failure, MI, stroke
exacerbation of asthma
how do NSAIDs cause HTN?
block prostaglandins which cause vasodilation => use with caution in HTN
what antibodies are in RhA?
rheumatoid factor
anti-CCP (cyclic citrullinated peptide) - most specific and sensitive
what is atlantoaxial sublaxation?
complication of RhA where the axis and odontoid peg shift within atlas causing localised sinovitis and damage to ligaments which can cause spinal cord compression
what are RhA signs in the hands?
Z shaped deformity of thumb
swan neck deformity (hyperextended PIP and flexed DIP)
boutonnieres deformity - hyperextended DIP with flexed PIP
ulnar deviation
what are 10 extra-articular manifestations of RhA?
pulmonary fibrosis (caplan’s syndrome)
Bronchiolitis obliterans
Feltys syndrome (RhA, neutropenia, splenomegaly)
Secondary Sjogren’s syndrome
anaemia of chronic disease
CVD
episcleritis and scleritis
rheumatoid nodules
lymphadenopathy
carpal tunnel
amyloidosis
what are 4 x-ray features of RhA?
erosions
synovitis
deformity and joint destruction
symmetrical pattern
what is felty’s syndrome?
complication of RhA
RhA + neutropenia +splenomegally
what is caplan’s syndrome?
complication of RhA
pulmonary fibrosis in people with RhA usually in relation to particulate exposure
which joint is spared in rheumatoid?
Distal interphalangeal
when is urgent referral for RhA needed?
if small joints of hands and feet are affected
if multiple joints are affected
if symptoms >3 months
what score can be used to objectively measure severity of RhA?
disease activity score (DAS) 28
what score can be used to measure subjective severity of RhA?
health assessment questionaire
what is the long term treatment of RhA?
Acute - NSAIDs/Coxibs (+PPI), glucocorticoids (only in confirmed)
long term
1st - DMARDs (methotrexate, leflunomide, sulfasalazine), hydroxychloroquine consider in mild disease
2nd - combination DMARDs
3rd - DMARD + biologics (TNF inhibitor, JAK inhibitors)
4th - DMARD + rituximab
how long can it take for DMARDs to work?
2-3 months
what is a side effect of biological agents?
immunosuppression
what are 4notable side effects of methotrexate?
mouth ulcers and mucositis
liver toxicity
bone marrow suppression and leukopenia
teratogenic
how is methotrexate taken?
orally once a week
OR
Injection once a week
what should always be co-prescribed with methotrexate?
folic acid 5mg OW - to be taken on different day to methotrexate
how does methotrexate work?
interferes with folate metabolism
what are 5 notable side effect of leflunomide?
raised BP
rashes
peripheral neuropathy
teratogenic
bone marrow suppresion
how does leflunomide work?
interferes production of pyrimidine used to make RNA and DNA
how does hydroxychloroquine work as an immunosuppressant?
interferes with toll-like receptors disrupting antigen presentation
what are 4 notable side effects of hydroxychloroquine?
nightmares
macular toxicity
liver toxicity
skin pigmentation
what is a notable side effect of sulfasalazine?
male infertility - reduction in sperm count
what is a notable side effect of anti-TNF?
reactivation of TB and hepatitis B
what are 2 notable side effects of rituximab?
night sweats
thrombocytopenia
what are 9 LUTS in BPH?
storage - urgency, frequency, nocturia
voiding - hesitancy, weak flow, terminal dribbling, intermittency, straining, incomplete emptying
what is the initial investigations of suspected BPH?
DRE
abdo exam
urinary frequency volume chart
urine dip
PSA
what are 6 causes of a raised PSA?
prostate cancer
BPH
prostatitis
UTI
vigorous exercise
recent ejaculation or prostate stimulation