intro to rheumatology Flashcards
what is rheumatology
- diagnosis and mgmt of rheumatic disease
- Arthritis
- auto-immune disease
- connective tissue disease
- other jt, muscle and tendon problems
(sub)Acute/ chronic
acute: less than 6 wks
sub-acute: 6-12 weeks
Chronic: > 12 weeks
examples rheumatology disease
OA Osteoporosis Rheumatoid Arthritis Ankylosing Spondylitis Fibromyalgia Polymyositis Scleroderma Gout
diagnosis
clinical exam SE
PE
Observe, mvmt, strength, mob, function
imaging - x-rays CT bone scan
blood tests
- FBC
- WBC
- ESR
- CRP
- ANA
FBC - anaemia (abnormalities) associated conditions - inflammatory diseases - NSAID related bleeding - iron deficiency
WCC - high/ low (ab) conditions - infection/ inflammation - certains anti-rheumatic drugs
ESR - erythrocyte sedimentation rate
- raised
- inflammation
- infection
CRP - C reactive protein
- raised
- AS for ESR but quicker to change
ANA - antinuclear antibody
- positive
- anti-immune disease
Mgmt
conservative pharm: NSAIDs opioid steroids bone density drugs inflammatories
conservative-non-pharm: diet exercise education OT manual therapy
surgical jt replacement, resurfacing, synovectomy debridements
- drug therapy -self mgmt -exercise -physio -OT -psychology -surgery
patient education
Facilitate informed consent
Improve understanding about the condition
Improve understanding and enhance decision making about management
Improve, maintain or at the very least slow deterioration
Enable appropriate use of healthcare system
Utilise healthcare system more efficiently, including being cost-effective.
education methods
One to one from healthcare professional
(written/verbal)
Lectures (public lectures)
Voluntary organisations e.g. Arthritis Ireland
Information leaflets
Social media: website, facebook, blogs, forum etc.
self managment
motivation goal-setting enhancing self-efficacy social support PA problem solving planning sleep healthy eating goal setting working with HCPs empowerment
