Inflammatory Non-Autoimmune Arthritis Flashcards
Septic arthritis Gout Psudogout
Outline the epidemiology of septic arthritis (2).
- In developed countries is 6 cases per 100,000 population per year
- In patients with underlying joint disease or with prosthetic joints the incidence increases approximately 10-fold, to 70 cases per 100,000 of the population
What are the risk factors of septic arthritis (6)?
- Underlying joint disease
- Prosthetic joint
- Age
- Immunosuppression
- Contiguous spread
- Exposure to ticks
Outline the pathogenesis of septic arthritis.
- Septic arthritis is caused by the pathogenic inoculation of micro-organisms into the joint, either directly or by the haematogenous route
The predominant causative organisms of septic arthritis are staphylococci or streptococci.
Outline the pathophysiology of septic arthritis.
- Following pathogenic inoculation into the joint, the mechanisms by which joint sepsis subsequently develops are as yet not fully understood
How would a patient with septic arthritis present (2)?
-
Hot, swollen, painful, restricted joint (inflammed)
Acute presentation (< 2 weeks)
What investigations are suggested in suspected septic arthritis?
Synovial aspiration:
* Synovial fluid microscopy, gram stain, and polarising microscopy
* Synovial fluid culture and sensitivities
* Synovial fluid white cell count
Blood:
* Blood culture and sensitivities
* White cell count
* Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
* CRP
* U&E
* LFTs
Imaging:
* Plain X-ray
* Ultrasound
What synovial aspiration investigations are suggested in septic arthritis (3)?
- Synovial fluid microscopy, gram stain, and polarising microscopy
- Synovial fluid culture and sensitivities
- Synovial fluid white cell count
What would a synovial fluid microscopy, gram stain, and polarising microscopy show in a patient with septic arthritis?
- Micro-organisms may be present
- Urate or pyrophosphate crystals may be present
What would a synovial fluid culture and sensitivities show in a patient with septic arthritis?
- Culture may reveal organism type and sensitivities to antibiotic therapy
What would a synovial fluid white cell count show in a patient with septic arthritis?
- White cell count around 2000 to 50,000 per mm3
What blood investigations are suggested in septic arthritis (6)?
- Blood culture and sensitivities
- White cell count
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
- CRP
- U&E
- LFTs
What would blood culture and sensitivities show in a patient with septic arthritis?
- Presence of micro-organisms
- Subsequent culture revealing organism type and sensitivities to antibiotic therapy
What would a white blood count show in a patient with septic arthritis?
- May be elevated
What would a erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) show in a patient with septic arthritis?
- May be elevated
What would a serum CRP show in a patient with septic arthritis?
- Elevated
What would a serum U&E show in a patient with septic arthritis?
- May be normal or abnormal
What would an LFTs show in a patient with septic arthritis?
- May be normal or raised
What imaging is suggested in septic arthritis (2)?
- Plain X-ray
- Ultrasound