GP Flashcards
At what age does acne peak?
18 years
What are other causes of acne?
Systemic steroids, physical occlusion, PCOS and cushings
What causes acne?
Androgen secretion results in increased sebum excretion
What are comedomes?
Dilated pores with black plug of keratin
What is the black tip of a comedone?
Oxidised sebum (not dirt)
How does Roaccutane work?
It is a topical retinoid which reduces sebum production, inflammation and bacterial growth
What are some side effects of Roaccutane?
Teratogenic, dry lips and skin, photosensitivity and suicidal ideation
What is the treatment for moderate acne?
Long-term oral antibiotics such as Tetracycline
What is acute bronchitis?
Inflammation of major bronchi which often follows viral URTI
What are the symptoms of acute bronchitis?
Cough, sputum, breathlessness, wheeze
What should you consider if acute bronchitis is recurrent?
COPD - chronic bronchitis
What is the treatment for those with more risk factors in acute bronchitis?
Amoxicillin 500mg TDS
What are some indications for medical treatment in acute bronchitis?
High risk of serious complications with pre-existing cormorbidities
Aged over 65 with acute cough
History of CCF
Current use of oral steroids
DM
What is a type I sensitivity?
IgE antibodies to a specific allergen trigger mast cells and basophils to release histamine
What is a type II allergic reaction?
IgG and IgM react to an allergen and activate the complement system leading to direct damage of local cells
Give an example of a type II reaction
Haemolytic disease of the newborn
Transfusion reactions
What is a type III allergic reaction?
Immune complexes accumulate and cause damage to local tissues
Give an example of a type III reaction?
SLE and RA
What is a type IV allergic reaction?
Cell mediated hypersensitivity caused by T lymphocytes
Give an example of a type IV allergic reaction?
Contact dermatitis
What is patch testing most useful for diagnosing?
Allergic contact dermatitis - latex, perfumes, cosmetics and plants
Not useful for food allergies
What is RAST testing?
Measures total and allergen specific IgE levels in the blood
What type of anaemia is iron deficiency?
Microcytic (<80)
What are the causes of iron deficiency?
Blood loss - menorrhagia, GI bleeding
Poor diet
Malabsorption - CD, IBD
Increased demand - lactation, growth and pregnancy
What are the symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia?
Fatigue
Dyspnoea
SOB
Brittle nails and hair
Atrophic glossitis
Angular stomatitis
Kolonychia
Systolic flow murmur
What do diagnostic tests show for iron deficiency anaemia?
Low ferritin
Low transferrin saturation (but increased receptors)
Low reticulocytes
Polikocytosis
Anisocytosis
Pencil and target cells
What is the treatment for iron deficiency anaemia?
Oral ferrous sulphate
Ascorbic acid may enhance iron absorption
Increase vitamin C
When should iron deficiency anaemia be treated as a red flag?
Unexplained in adults over 60 = 2-week wait for suspected colorectal cancer
What are some dietary management options for iron deficiency anaemia?
Increase red meat, spinach and broccoli
Iron from vegetables is non-heme so a smaller % is available for absorption
What should you consider if there is a failure to respond to iron supplements?
Non-compliance (side effects of constipation and black stools)
H.pylori test
Coeliac disease
What is the inheritance of sickle cell anaemia?
Autosomal recessive
What does sickle cell anaemia cause to red blood cells?
Abnormal beta globin chains cause sickling of the red blood cell shape so they are more likely to get stuck in circulation
What is the gold standard diagnostic method for sickle cell anaemia?
Hb electrophoresis
What is a sickle cell crisis?
Exacerbations from dehydration, infection, stress or cold weather
What is a vaso-occlusive crisis?
Sickle shaped RBCs clog capillaries and cause distal ischaemia
Presents with pain and swelling in hands and feet
Can cause priapism trapping blood in the penis
What is a splenic sequestration crisis?
RBCs block flood flow in the spleen causing an acutely enlarged and painful spleen and can lead to infarction
What does hyposplenism cause?
Susceptibility to infections from encapsulated bacteria such as Strep pneumoniae and Hib
What is an aplastic crisis?
Temporary absence of the creation of new RBC triggered by parvovirus B19 infection
What is acute chest syndrome?
Vessels supplying the lungs are clogged with sickled RBCs
Can be triggered by a vaso-occlusive crisis, fat embolism or infection
What will a CXR show for acute chest syndrome?
Pulmonary infiltrates
What is given as antibiotic prophylaxis for hyposplenism?
Penicillin V
What can be given to stimulate foetal Hb?
Hydroxycarbamide
What is a treatment for vaso-occlusive crises?
Crizanlizumab - a monoclonal antibody that prevents RBCs from sticking to the blood vessel walls
What are some long term problems of sickle cell anaemia?
Osteomyelitis - from Salmonella
Cardiomegaly and arrhythmias
Liver dysfunction from trapping sickle cells
Ischaemic colitis
What is hereditary spherocytosis?
Inherited abnormality of RBCs caused by defects in structural membrane proteins
Causes spherical RBCs that are removed by the spleen
Causes a very short RBC lifespan
What is the inheritance of hereditary spherocytosis?
Autosomal dominant
What are the symptoms of hereditary spherocytosis?
Jaundice, anaemia, splenomegaly, leg ulcers
Chronic haemolysis can lead to gallstones
What are the diagnostic tests for hereditary spherocytosis?
Spherocytes and reticulocytes on blood film
Serum bilirubin and urinary urobilinogen increased
Coombs test negative
What is the inheritance of G6PD deficiency?
X-linked recessive
What is G6PD deficiency?
Lack of G6PD enzyme which provides NADH to protect RBC from oxidate damage
Deficiency reduces lifespan
What are some triggers for symptoms of G6PD deficiency?
Quinine, fava beans, aspirin, Nitrofurantoin, henna
What are the blood film findings for G6PD deficiency?
Heinz bodies, bite cells and reticulocytosis
What is AIHA?
Immune system attacks RBCs as foreign molecules so the body produces autoantibodies causing extravascular haemolysis and spherocytosis
What are some secondary causes of AIHA?
Infection - HCV, HIV, EBV
Cancer
SLE
Slceroderma
NSAIDs
What are the two types of AIHA?
Warm - IgG mediated at 37 degrees
Cold - IgM at under 4 degrees
What are some symptoms of AIHA?
SOB, fatigue, palpitations, chest pain, headache, pale skin
Warm - dizziness, jaundice, palpitations
Cold - cold hands and feet, chest pain, arrhythmias
What is the treatment for warm AIHA?
Steroids/ immunosuppressants/ splenectomy
What is the treatment for cold AIHA?
Chlorambucil - interferes with DNA replication and damages cell DNA
What type of anaemia is folate deficiency?
Macrocytic
Where is folate absorbed?
Duodenum and start of jejunum
What is folate found in?
Green vegetables, nuts, yeast and liver
What are some risk factors for folate deficiency?
Elderly
Poverty
Alcoholics
CD and coeliac
What are some causes of folate deficiency?
Goat milk in infancy
Poor intake
Malabsorption
Increased demand
Trimethoprim
Methotrexate
What do diagnostic tests show for folate deficiency?
Macrocytic oval macrocytes with hypersegmented neutrophil polymorphs with 6+ nuclear lobes
Serum bilirubin may be raised
What is the treatment for folate deficency?
Treat underlying cause
Folic acid tablets - but never without B12 as it can mask deficiency
Why is folate given in pregnancy?
Prevent spina bifida
What type of anaemia is B12 deficiency?
Megaloblastic
What is pernicious anaemia?
Lack of intrinsic factor due to removal of terminal ileum
What is the role of B12?
Aids thymidine synthesis and hence DNA synthesis
What are some risk factors of B12 deficiency?
Elderly
Female
Vegan
Thyroid and Addisons disease
Metformin
What are some symptoms of B12 deficiency?
Anaemia
Mild jaundice
Glossitis and angular stomatitis
Symmetrical paraesthesia in fingers and toes
Ataxia and weakness
What is the treatment for B12 deficiency?
If malabsorption - hydroxycobalamin IM for 2 weeks
Oral B12 if problem is just dietary
What is thalassemia?
Defects in either the alpha or beta chain causing RBCs that are more fragile and break causing splenomegaly
What is the presentation of thalassemia?
Fatigue, pallor, jaundice, gallstones, splenomegaly, poor growth and development, frontal bossing, malar eminences
What is iron overload?
Result of faulty RBCs, recurrent transfusions and increased iron gut absorption in response to anaemia
What are some effects of iron overload?
Fatigue, liver cirrhosis, infertility, heart failure, diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis
What is alpha thalassemia?
Defected alpha globin chains on C16 leading to excess unpaired beta globin chains
What is beta thalassemia?
Defected beta globin chains on C11 causing excess unpaired alpha globin chains
What is an anal fissure and what are the symptoms?
Tear in anal mucosa presenting with pain on defectation, constipation and fresh rectal bleeding
What is a sentinel pile?
Anal fissure - bunched up mucosa at the base of the tear
What is the management for anal fissure?
Soften stool with ispaghula husk
Analgesic suppositories
Surgery
What are some symptoms of anaphylaxis?
Urticaria
Itching
Angio-oedema
Abdominal pain
SOB
Stridor
Wheeze
Collapse
What is the treatment for anaphylaxis?
IM adrenaline 500mcg
What should be measured after 6 hours in anaphylaxis?
Serum mast cell tryptase
What is GAD?
Excessive, difficult to control worry about events/ activities occurring most days for over 6 months
What are the two aspects of OCD?
Compulsive acts and obsessive thoughts
What are the two main features of phobias?
Avoidance
Anticipatory anxiety
What is agoraphobia?
Fear away from home and in crowds
What are some risk factors for asthma?
Family history
Atopy
Low birth weight
Smoking/ exposure
Not breastfed
What are the symptoms of asthma?
Polyphonic bilateral wheeze
Diurnal variation
Chest tightness
Unproductive cough
Tachypnoea
Hyperinflation
What is the spirometry for asthma?
FEV1/FVC < 70%
What differentiates asthma from COPD?
reversibility testing with a bronchodilator
What is the treatment for asthma?
SABA
ICS
LTRA
LABA
What is the treatment for an asthma attack?
Oxygen with nebulised SABA
100mg hydrocortisone IV
IV magnesium
Escalate
What are the grades of PEFR?
Moderate 50-75%
Severe 33-50%
Life threatening under 33%
What are some markers of good asthma control?
No night symptoms
Inhaler used no more than 3 times per week
Normal LFT
What is ventricular tachycardia?
Broad QRS complexes over 100bpm
Give oxygen and IV lidocaine
What is long QT syndrome?
ECG shows prolonged QT interval and can have a genetic form that is AD or AR
What is atrial fibrillation?
Irregular atrial rhythm where there is uncoordinated activation and ineffective contraction
What is the consequence in atrial fibrillation?
Cardiac output falls by 10-20% as the atria are no longer primed reliably by the ventricles
What are the symptoms of atrial fibrillation?
Palpitations
Irregular pulse
Dyspnoea
Fatigue
What does the ECG for AF show?
Absent P waves
Narrow QRS
Irregularly irregular rhythm
What is the treatment for AF?
Acute - cardioversion
Chronic - beta blockers
Apixaban or warfarin
What should be calculated in AF?
CHADVASC score - calculate stroke risk and anticoagulation needs
What is atrial flutter?
- Unorganised atrial rhythm with a rate of 250-350 bpm
- Re-entrant circuit in the right atrium
What does ECG show for atrial flutter?
Sawtooth - F waves between QRS complexes from continuous atrial depolarisation
What is the gold standard treatment for atrial flutter?
Catheter ablation
What are some complications of eczema?
Skin thickening and scaling
Bacterial infection - staph aureus
Cataracts
Growth retardation
What are some management options for eczema?
Topical steroids - hydrocortisone
Topical immunosuppressants - Tacrolimus
Bandages and wet wrapping
Topical emollients
Loose cotton clothing
What is contact dermatitis?
Precipitated by an exogenous agent such as abrasives and chemicals or allergens such as nickel and rubber
What is atrophic vaginitis?
Dryness and atrophy of vaginal mucosa due to lack of oestrogen
When is atrophic vaginitis most likely to occur?
Menopause
What is the presentation of atrophic vaginitis?
Itching, dryness, dyspareunia, bleeding, recurrent UTI, stress incontinence
What are some findings on examination of atrophic vaginitis?
Pale mucosa, thin skin, reduced skin folds, erythema, inflammation, dryness, sparse pubic hair
What are some treatments for atrophic vaginitis?
Vaginal lubricants
Topical oestrogens
What is bacterial vaginosis?
Vaginal flora changes to anaerobes (most commonly Gardnerella vaginalis)
What are the healthy vaginal flora?
Lactobacilli
They produce lactic acid to keep vaginal pH under 4.5
What are some risk factors for bacterial vaginosis?
Multiple sexual partners
Excessive vaginal cleaning
Recurrent antibiotics
Smoking
Copper coil
What is the presentation of bacterial vaginosis?
Grey/ white thin, fish-smelling offensive discharge
Cervix looks normal
pH of secretions if > 4.5
What is shown on microscopy for BV?
Clue cells - epithelial cells from the cervix that have bacteria stuck inside them
What is the treatment for BV?
Metronidazole
What can metronidazole and alcohol cause?
A disulfiram-like reaction with N+V, flushing, shock and angioedema
What is Bell’s Palsy?
Isolated dysfunction of the facial nerve presenting with unilateral facial weakness of LMN
What is the treatment for Bell’s Palsy?
Give prednisolone if less than 72 hours after symptom onset
What is Ramsay-Hunt syndrome?
Severe pain in the ear precedes facial nerve palsy caused by VZV
What is the treatment for ramsay hunt syndrome?
Prednisolone and Aciclovir
What is blepharitis?
Inflammation of eyelid margins
What can blepharitis cause?
Gritty, itchy, dry eyes
Ingrowing eyelashes
Crusting at the base of eyelashes
What is the treatment for blepharitis?
Warm compress
Gentle cleansing
Topical antibiotic
What is a stye?
Infection of the glands of Zeis of glands of Moll
What are the glands of moll?
Sweat glands at the base of the eyelashes
What are the glands of zeis?
Sebaceous glands at the base of the eyelashes
What is entropion?
Eyelid turns inwards with lashes pressed against the eye
What is the treatment for entropion?
Same day surgery if there is a risk to sight
What is ectropion?
Eyelid turns outwards exposing the inner aspect
What can ectropion result in?
Exposure keratopathy as the eyeball is exposed and not lubricated
What is orbital cellulitis?
Infection around the eyeball requiring IV antibiotics and maybe surgical drainage
What is periorbital cellulitis?
Eyelid and skin infection in front of the orbital septum
What is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo?
Common cause of vertigo triggered by head movement as a peripheral cause
What is the cause of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo?
Calcium carbonate crystals become displaced in the semicircular canals disrupting normal flow of endolymph confusing the vestibular system
What is a treatment for
benign paroxysmal positional vertigo?
epley manoeuvre
What is a diagnostic test of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo?
dix-hallpike manoeuvre
What is BPH?
Enlargement of the inner transitional zone of the prostate which can partially block the urethra
What are the symptoms of BPH?
LUTS - polyuria, urgency, nocturia, incontinence, poor stream, straining, incomplete voiding
What is the diagnosis for BPH?
DRE - smooth but enlarged prostate
PSA levels
Bladder diary
What is the 1st line medication for BPH?
Alpha blockers such as Tamulosin
What is a side effect of an alpha blocker such as Tamulosin for BPH?
Postural hypotension
What is the gold standard treatment for BPH?
TURP
Side effect - retrograde ejaculation
What is 2nd line for BPH?
5-alpha reductase inhibitors - Finasteride
What is the conservative treatment for BPH?
Caffeine and alcohol reduction
What is breast mastitis?
Infected subareolar ducts presenting with breast tenderness and inflammation
What is the most common cause of mastitis?
Staph aureus
What is the treatment for mastitis?
Co-amoxiclav
What is lactational mastitis?
Obstruction in the ducts and accumulation of milk
What is the presentation of lactational mastitis?
Breast pain and tenderness, erythema, local warmth, inflammation, nipple discharge, fever
What is candida of the nipple?
Infection of the nipple after a course of antibiotics which can lead to recurrent mastitis
What is the presentation of candida of the nipple?
Bilateral sore nipples after feeding
Nipple tenderness and itching
Cracked, flaky areola
Nappy rash in the baby
What is the treatment for candida of the nipple?
Topical miconazole
What is bronchiolitis?
Inflammation in bronchioles usually caused by RSV
What is the presentation of bronchiolitis?
coryzal symptoms, dyspnoea, tachypnoea, poor feeding, mild fever, apnoeas, wheeze
What is trochanteric bursitis?
Inflammation of a bursa over the greater trochanter on the outer hip
What are bursea?
Sacs created by synovial membrane filled with synovial fluid
What are some causes of trochanteric bursitis?
Friction from repetitive movements, trauma, inflammatory conditions such as RA and septic bursitis
What is the presentation of trochanteric bursitis?
Aching and burning, disrupting sleep, hard to lie comfortably, tenderness, worse with activity
What are the two diagnostic tests for trochanteric bursitis?
Trendelenburg test
Resisted internal and external rotation and abduction
What sort of bacteria is chlamydia?
Gram negative
What are some symptoms of chlamydia in women?
Vaginal discharge, intermenstrual bleeding, PID, dysuria
What are some presentations of chlamydia in neonates?
Conjunctivitis, pneumonia, otitis media, pharyngitis
What is the treatment for chlamydia?
Doxycycline or erythromycin
What is lymphogranuloma venereum?
Affects lymphoid tissue around chlamydia site of infection
MC in MSM
What is chlamydial conjunctivitis?
Hand to eye spread when genital fluid comes into contact with the eyes
How long must fatigue be present for for a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome?
over 4 months in adults and over 3 months in children
What are some red flags for chronic fatigue?
Significant weight loss
Sleep apnoea
Signs/ symptoms of CVD
Localising/ focal neurological signs
What are some risk factors for CKD?
DM, HTN, male, smoking, increasing age
Why does CKD cause HTN?
Thickening of afferent arteriole leading to ischaemia and further fluid overload due to RAAS activation
What does CKD show on bloods?
High creatinine, urea, phosphate and potassium
What is GFR of stage 1 CKD?
90 +
What is GFR of stage 2 CKD?
60-89
What is GFR of stage 3a CKD?
45-59
What is GFR of stage 3b CKD?
30-44
What is GFR of stage 5 CKD?
Less than 15
What is GFR of stage 4 CKD?
15-29
What respiratory failure does COPD lead to?
Type II
What are some risk factors for COPD?
Smoking, occupational pollutants, A1AD on C14, CF, males, poor diet, low birthweight
What is A1AD?
Dysfunction of A1AD on C14 which controls elastase activity so without there is uncontrolled build-up causing liver cirrhosis and emphysema in alveoli
What are people with chronic bronchitis called?
Blue bloaters
What does chronic bronchitis lead to?
Cor pulmonale - right sided heart failure
What are people with emphysema called?
Pink puffers