Inflammatory arthritis Flashcards
Spectrum of Inflammatory arthritis
(4) categories and examples of disease
What to ask in Hx for the joint pain possibly being rheumatoid?
*Sicca symptoms: dry mouth, dry eyes
What to look for during clinical examination in the suspected rheumatoid joint?
Typical history of rheumatoid arthritis
Examination findings of early RA
(3) features of rheumatoid hand deformity
Characteristic deformities in RA
Joint and tendon destruction may lead to deformities such as:
- ulnar deviation
- boutonnieres
- swan neck deformity
- hammer toes of feet
What’s that the sign of?
In RA
Tenosynovitis → inflammation of the tendon and its enveloping tendon sheath
- associated tendon rupture due to tendon and ligament involvement
- most commonly involving the fourth and fifth digital extensor tendons at the wrist
* may also cause Carpal Tunnel syndrome
What other joints (other than hands and wrists) may be involved in RA?
What are rheumatoid nodules and what are they composed of?
- marker of disease severity → poor outcome
- commonly found at sites of trauma
Composed of:
- monocytes
- macrophages & few lymphocytes
- fibrinoid material
- collagen
Manifestations of heart involvement in RA
- pericarditis
- rheumatoid nodules
- endocarditis and heart valve
- vasculitis
- accelerated Ischaemic heart disease
Manifestations of lung involvement in RA
- Pleural effusion
- Rheumatoid nodules
- Fibrosis/interstitial lung disease
Bone, nervous system and other involvement in RA
- Bone – osteoporosis
- Nervous system – neuropathy, cervical myelopathy (if atlanto-axial joints affected)
- Other – lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly
Ocular manifestations of RA
- keratoconjunctivitis sicca (most common)
- episcleritis (erythema)
- scleritis (erythema and pain)
- corneal ulceration
- keratitis
Iatrogenic
- steroid-induced cataracts
- chloroquine retinopathy
Skin manifestation of RA (2)
- ulceration
- vasculitis