Lupus Flashcards

1
Q

Systemic lupus erythematosus?

A

Autoimmune disease involving innate and adaptive immune system disturbance
Has autoantibodies - antibodies to nuclear components
Antibody-antigen (immune complexes) -> chronic tissue inflammation (particularly joints, skin and kidney)

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2
Q

SLE rash example?

A

Malar rash

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3
Q

Autoimmune connective tissue disorder? General points

A
  1. Arthralgia and arthritis typically non-erosive (unlike RA)
  2. Serum autoantibodies characteristic
  3. Raynaud’s phenomenon common
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4
Q

Raynaud’s phenomenon?

A

Intermittent vasospasm of digits, usually triggered by cold exposure
Triphasic colour changes

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5
Q

Typical Raynaud’s colours?

A

White - vasospasm leading to blanching of digit
Blue - cyanosis as static venous blood deoxygenates
Red - reactive hyperaemia

Severe Raynaud’s - tissue ischaemia, ulcers and necrosis

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6
Q

SLE epidemiology?

A

15-45
F:M - 9:1
Africa > Asian > white European

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7
Q

Clinical features? Skin

A

Malar rash - erythema that spares nasolabial fold
Photosensitive rash
Mouth ulcers
Hair loss

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8
Q

Clinical features? Vascular

A

Raynaud’s

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9
Q

Clinical features? MSK

A

Arthralgia and arthritis (non-erosive)

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10
Q

Clinical features? Internal organs

A

Serositis (pericarditis, pleuritis, rarely peritonitis)
Renal disease - glomerulonephritis
Cerebral disease
Myocarditis

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11
Q

Clinical features? Haematological

A

Autoimmune thrombocytopenia
Haemolytic anaemia
Lymphopenia

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12
Q

Clinical features? Other

A

Lymphadenopathy
Fever in absence of infection

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13
Q

Anti-nuclear antibodies?

A

Hallmark of SLE, in all patients
Examples of other autoantibodies:
Anti-ds-DNA antibody
Anti-Ro
Anti-La
Anti-Smith
Anti-RNP

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14
Q

Anti-phospholipid antibodies?

A

Directed to phospholipids on cell membrane
Associated with increased risk of thrombosis and pregnancy loss

persistent APL + clinical event = anti-phospholipid antibody syndrome

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15
Q

Main autoantibodies in SLE?

A

Antinuclear antibodies - in all SLE, non-specific

Anti-double stranded DNA antibodies - specific for SLE, serum level DO correlate with disease activity

Anti-phospholipid antibodies - can occur in absence of SLE (primary anti-phospholipid antibody syndrome)

Anti-Sm antibodies - specific for SLE, serum levels DON’T correlate with disease activity

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16
Q

SLE immunopathogenesis?

A

Overactivity of type 1 interferon pathway
Complement pathway abnormalities
Overactive B and T cells

17
Q

Waste disposal hypothesis

A
  1. Apoptosis -> translocation of nuclear antigens to membrane surface
  2. Impaired clearance of apoptotic cells = enhanced presentation of nuclear antigens to immune cells
  3. B cell autoimmunity
  4. Tissue damage by antibody effector mechanisms
18
Q

SLE investigations? Inflammation

A

High ESR, usually normal CRP

19
Q

SLE investigations? Renal

A

Measure urine protein, creatinine, albumin
Kidney biopsy if persistent proteinuria

20
Q

SLE investigations? Immunological

A

ANA
Anti-ds-DNA antibodies
Complement consumption (low C3 + C4)
Antiphospholipid antibodies

21
Q

SLE complement and antibodies in unwell patient?

A

Low C3 + C4
High anti-dsDNA antibodies

22
Q

SLE management aims?

A
  1. Treat SLE and prevent flares
  2. Prevent ionotropic harm of steroids (infection, osteoporosis, avascular necrosis)
  3. Specific treatment
23
Q

SLE management? Pharmacology

A

Hydroxychloroquine recommended for all lupus patients
steroids for flare
Serious disease - immunomodulatory (mycophenolate, methotrexate, Azathioprine)

24
Q

SLE renal disease treatment?

A

Mycophenolate +/- rituximab

25
Severe or life threatening SLE treatment?
IV steroids + IV cyclophosphamide
26
SLE + antiphospholipid antibody syndrome treatment?
Anticoag (warfarin)
27
SLE and pregnancy considerations?
1. Antiphospholipid antibodies associated with miscarriage (give aspirin or heparin) 2. Pregnancy increased Haemodynamic demands so will worsen renal dysfunction 3. Ro antibodies - can cause fetal heartblock 4. Drugs
28
Drug considerations? SLE and pregnancy, unsafe and safe
Unsafe - MMF, cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and warfarin are teratogenic Safe - Hydroxychloroquine, Azathioprine and low weight molecular heparin
29
Ionotopic steroid side effects?
Infection, osteoporosis, avascular necrosis