L5 - connective tissue disease

Question 1

summarise different types of uncontrolled connective tissue disease ?

Answer 1

1. Rheumatoid arthritis
   - joint pain, fatigue, malaise
2. SLE
   - hair loss, joint pain, joint swelling, photosensitive, oral ulcers
3. Sjogren’s
   - dry eyes, fatigue, neuropathy
4. Scleroderma
   - raynauds

Question 2

Describe Systemic Lupus Erythematous

Answer 2

• inflammation of mucous, skin
• leads to inflammation of mouth
• autoimmune
• anti double stranded DNA
• multisystem

LAB tests:
- ESR, CRP, complement

Question 3

Systemic Sclerosis mnemonic

Answer 3

Calcinosis 
Raynauds 
Esophgeal dysfunction 
Sclerodactyl 
Telanglectasis

Question 4

Sclerodactyl

Answer 4

thickening / tightening of skin on the fingers and hands

Question 5

Telanglectasis

Answer 5

dilation of capillaries causing red marks on surface of skin

Question 6

Scleroderma signs on hands

Answer 6

• capillaries on nail bed should line up nicely

- BUT enlarged capillaries, funny shaped, areas of BV loss

Question 7

What occurs in systemic sclerosis?

Answer 7

1. increased vasoconstriction
2. smooth muscle more reactive
3. damage to endothelial cells
4. increased platelet problems
5. internal fibrosis

Question 8

compare vasoconstriction and vasodilation

Answer 8

V.constriction

• VSM a2 adrenoreceptor increases
• increased endothelin 1

V.dilation

• decreased vasodilatory neuropeptides
• decreased NO

Question 9

Polymyositis

Answer 9

proximal muscle weakness

Question 10

Dermatomyositis

Answer 10

inflammation of muscles and skin (very rare)