Inflammatory

Question 1

Give 3 features of Psoriasis.

Answer 1

Red scaly. Flaky patches. Crusty patches. Patches appear on elbows, knees, scaly, lower back. Nail changes.

Question 2

Name 2 causes of psoriasis.

Answer 2

Increased cell turnover (shedding of dead skin cells and subsequent replacement with younger cells). Throat infections. Emotional stress. Physical trauma. Drugs e.g. lithium, beta blockers. HIV infection.

Question 3

Name 2 of the 5 clinical types of psoriatic arthritis.

Answer 3

Asymmetric (60-70% joint involvement).

Symmetric (15% rheumatoid arthritis-like).

Distal interphalangeal joint disease (5% become sausage like).

Ankylosing spondylitis (5% long term condition where spine inflamed).

Arthritis mutilans (5% osteolysis (disappearance of bone tissue) of small bones of hands and feet).

Question 4

What treatments are used for Psoriatic Arthritis?

Answer 4

NSAIDs.

Conventional DMARD e.g. methotrexate (MTX; co-treat with daily folic acid), leflunomide (does not also target skin disease).

Biologic’ DMARD (e.g. TNF inhibitor) - Etanercept, adalimumab, infliximab, certolizumab.

Question 5

What is erythroderma?

Answer 5

When your red head to toe.

Question 6

Give 2 causes of erythroderma.

Answer 6

Drug eruption. Dermatitis e.g. atopic dermatitis. Psoriasis. Infection e.g. staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome. Pityriasis rubra pilaris (group of skin conditions - constant inflammation and scaling of the skin).

Question 7

Name 2 features of atopic dermatitis (eczema).

Answer 7

Dry skin. Itching. Red to brownish patches.

Question 8

Give 2 treatments for Atopic dermatitis.

Answer 8

Skin care - emollients, baths. Topical steroids. Wet dressings - wrapping affected area with topical steroids and wet bandages.

Question 9

Name 2 causes for Atopic dermatitis.

Answer 9

Environmental factors e.g. allergens, irritants, dietary factors. Genetic factors e.g. family history. Immunological AL factors e.g. abnormal Th2.