Joint Diseases - Cochran, Pfister, Cronin Flashcards
Review the structure of synovial joints:
What type of cartilage is present? Is it vascular? How is it maintained?
What is the source of synovial fluid? Describe its composition.
(Synovial joints are encapsulated and fluid-filled to allow gliding movement)
Type 2 (car-two-lige), avascular. Maintained by chondrocytes.
Synovial cells lining the cavity produce the synovial fluid (in addition to serving phagocytic functions).
What physical exam findings are seen in inflammatory arthrites?
Morning stiffness > 1hr
Warmth, erythema (variable)
Synovitis (thickening, tenderness)
What lab findings are seen in inflammatory arthrites?
Elevated inflammatory markers (ESR/CRP), leukocytosis in blood.
Imaging reveals erosion of bone.
Synovial fluid has WBC count >2000 and >50% neutrophils.
What is gout?
What is its most common etiology?
Gout results from hyperuricemia causing MSU (monosodium urate) crystals to deposit in joints.
90% of cases are due to underexcretion in feces/urine.
What is the source of most of the filtered load of uric acid?
What percentage of that load is usually excreted?
Cellular byproducts (nucleotides, nucleoproteins).
10% of filtered load is excreted.
Which groups are most susceptible to gout?
Why is it becoming more common?
Males have a higher prevalence (estrogen promotes renal excretion), and incidence is higher in non-white races.
It correlates with BMI, which is increasing.
What is podagra?
When is it usually seen?
Podagra is pain of the great toe resulting from MSU deposition there.
During acute gout attacks (mobilization of urate).
Distinguish between the optical properties of crystals in gout and pseudogout.
Gout: MSU crystals are flat and negatively birefringent.
Pseudogout: Calcium pyrophosphate crystals are rhomboid and positively birefringent.
Why are the distral extremities most susceptible to MSU crystal deposition?
Decreased temperatures in the extremity reduces relative solubility, leading to deposition.
Chronic gout is associated with renal failure and tophi. What are tophi?
Where can they form?
Tophi are white, chalky urate aggregates.
They can deposit in nearly any tissue, but especially deposit in skin, joints, cartilage and bone.
How does gout precipitate an inflammatory response?
MSU crystals are phagocytsed by APCs, which trigger inflammasomal IL-1β production.
Describe the prevalence and etiology of CPPD deposition disease (pseudogout).
Pseudogout mostly affects the elderly, and results usually from pyrophosphate overproduction.
What joints does CPPD deposition usually affect?
What is its pathognomonic radiological finding?
Larger joints than gout: knee, wrist, shoulder.
Chondrocalcinosis (calcificaiton of articular cartilage.
How can gout be treated?
Describe the role of NSAIDs and steroids in the treatment of gout.
Reducing urate production, increasing its excretion, and reducing inflammation/symptoms.
NSAIDs can be used for short term relief (indomethacin or naproxen, but not aspirin!). Same is true of steroids.
Colchicine
Describe its mechanism of action.
What are its uses?
Colchicine
Interferes with tubulin dimers to prevent microtubule formation. This inhibits neutrophil expansion/activation, reducing inflammation.
Used for treatment of acute gout attacks, as well as prophylactically in chronic gout (side effects are limiting)
Colchicine
Describe its pharmacokinetics.
What are its side effects and contraindications?
Colchicine
Orally administered, rapidly absorbed with large Vd. CYP3A4 metabolized. P-gp substrate.
Major GI disturbances (limits proliferative cells). Not for the elderly, those with hepatic or renal disease, or with 3A4/P-gp inhibitors.
What are some indications for prophylactic gout therapy?
Name some non-pharmacological treatment measures.
If attacks are frequent, disabling, or are associated with urate stones, nephropathy, or tophi (chronic).
Dietary adjustment (no alcohol, rich foods). Discontinue meds that block urate secretion (OAT).
Allopurinol
Describe its mechanism of action.
What are its indications?
Allopurinol
Metabolized to oxypurinol > blocks xanthine oxidase > reduces urate production.
For prevention of primary hyperuricemia.
Allopurinol
Describe its pharmacokinetics.
What are its side effects and contraindications?
Allopurinol
Prodrug activated by aldehyde oxidoreductase. 1-2hr half-life, but metabolite lasts 18-30hrs.
Can cause hypersensitivity reaction and may provoke acute gout attacks.
Febuxostat
Describe its mechanism of action.
Contrast it with Allopurinol.
Febuxostat
Inhibitor of XDH/XO.
Binds both oxidized and reduced form of XO. More potent, better for patients with renal failure, but with higher side effects (eg cardiovascular).