Medicine Flashcards
What is Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)?
A chronic lung condition characterized by progressive fibrosis of the interstitium of the lungs
What is the typical age range for patients diagnosed with IPF?
50-70 years old
Is IPF more common in men or women?
Twice as common in men
List the key features of IPF.
- Progressive exertional dyspnea
- Bibasal fine end-inspiratory crepitations
- Dry cough
- Clubbing
- Non-smoker
What does spirometry show in IPF patients?
Restrictive picture (normal/↓ FEV1, ↓ FVC, ↑ FEV1/FVC)
What does a chest X-ray (CXR) show in IPF?
Bilateral interstitial shadowing (small, irregular, peripheral opacities – ‘ground-glass’ – late progressing to ‘honeycombing’)
What is the investigation of choice for diagnosing IPF?
High resolution CT
What is the average life expectancy for someone with IPF?
Approximately 3-4 years
What is the most common inherited bleeding disorder?
Von Willebrand’s Disease
What inheritance pattern does Von Willebrand’s Disease follow?
Autosomal dominant
What role does von Willebrand factor play in the body?
- Promotes platelet adhesion to damaged endothelium
- Carrier molecule for factor VIII
What are the types of Von Willebrand’s Disease?
- Type 1: Partial reduction in vWF (80% of patients)
- Type 2: Abnormal form of vWF
- Type 3: Total lack of vWF (autosomal recessive)
List common manifestations of Von Willebrand’s Disease.
- Epistaxis
- Oral cavity bleeding
- Excessive bleeding from minor wounds
- Excessive post-op bleeding
- Menorrhagia
- Postpartum hemorrhage
What is a characteristic feature of autoimmune hepatitis?
Condition of unknown etiology commonly seen in young females
What are the recognized associations of autoimmune hepatitis?
- Other autoimmune disorders
- Hypergammaglobulinemia
- HLA B8, DR3
What are the types of autoimmune hepatitis based on circulating antibodies?
- Type I: Anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) and/or anti-smooth muscle antibodies (SMA)
- Type II: Anti-liver/kidney microsomal type 1 antibodies (LKM1)
- Type III: Soluble liver-kidney antigen
What are the features of autoimmune hepatitis?
- Signs of chronic liver disease
- Acute hepatitis: fever, jaundice
- Amenorrhea
- Deranged LFTs
- Liver biopsy: Inflammation extending beyond limiting plate
What is the first-line treatment for acute heart failure?
IV loop diuretics (furosemide, bumetanide)
What should be avoided in the treatment of acute heart failure?
Routine use of nitrates
What is an important management step for patients with respiratory failure in acute heart failure?
CPAP
What is Mycoplasma pneumoniae associated with?
Atypical pneumonia often affecting younger patients
What are the complications of Mycoplasma pneumoniae?
- Cold agglutinins (IgM)
- Erythema multiforme
- Meningoencephalitis
- Bullous myringitis
- Pericarditis/myocarditis
What is the most common inherited cause of kidney disease?
Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD)
What are the two disease loci identified in ADPKD?
- PKD 1
- PKD 2
What is the screening investigation for relatives of ADPKD patients?
Abdominal ultrasound
What is the first-line treatment for diabetic neuropathy?
Amitriptyline, duloxetine, gabapentin, pregabalin
What are common features of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)?
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Mouth ulcers
- Lymphadenopathy
What is shingles caused by?
Reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV)
What are the key features of shingles?
- Prodromal period
- Burning pain over the affected dermatome
- Vesicular rash
What is the first-line treatment for shingles?
Antivirals (e.g., Famciclovir, valaciclovir)
What are the key features of osteoarthritis of the knee?
- Age > 50
- Overweight
- Severe pain
- Intermittent swelling
- Limitation of movement
What is Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)?
A condition characterized by muscle stiffness and raised inflammatory markers in older people
What is the definitive diagnosis for sickle cell anemia?
Hemoglobin electrophoresis
What does sickle cell anemia result from?
Synthesis of an abnormal hemoglobin chain termed HbS
What are the symptoms of sickle cell anemia?
Symptoms typically develop at 4-6 months when HbSS molecules take over from fetal hemoglobin
What causes RBCs to sickle in sickle cell disease?
S molecules polymerise
At what pO2 do HbAS patients typically sickle?
2.5 – 4 kPa
At what pO2 do HbSS patients typically sickle?
5 – 6 kPa
What complications do sickle cells cause?
Fragility, hemolysis, blocking small blood vessels, and causing infarction
What is the definitive diagnosis for sickle cell disease?
Hemoglobin electrophoresis
What is recurrent priapism?
Painful prolonged erection of the penis
What defines traveller’s diarrhea?
At least 3 loose to watery stools in 24 hours with or without abdominal cramps, fever, nausea, vomiting, or blood in the stool
What is the most common cause of traveller’s diarrhea?
Escherichia coli
What describes acute food poisoning?
Sudden onset of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea after ingestion of a toxin
Which bacteria typically cause acute food poisoning?
- Staphylococcus aureus
- Bacillus cereus
- Clostridium perfringens
What is the incubation period for Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus?
1-6 hours
What is the typical presentation of Escherichia coli in gastroenteritis?
Watery stools, abdominal cramps, nausea
What symptoms are associated with cholera?
Profuse, watery diarrhea and severe dehydration
What are the key symptoms of Shigella infection?
Bloody diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain
What is the incubation period for Shigella and Campylobacter?
48-72 hours
What are the symptoms of tuberculosis?
Fever, night sweats, anorexia, weight loss
What are the symptoms of pulmonary embolism?
Pleuritic chest pain, tachycardia, tachypnea
What is the typical history associated with aspergilloma?
Past history of tuberculosis
What is gout?
A form of inflammatory arthritis
What is the typical duration of acute gout episodes?
Lasting several days
What is the main feature of gout?
- Pain
- Swelling
- Erythema
What uric acid level supports a diagnosis of gout?
≥ 360 umol/L
What does synovial fluid analysis reveal in gout?
Needle shaped negatively birefringent monosodium urate crystals
What is the first line management for acute gout?
NSAIDs or colchicine
What is the first line urate-lowering therapy for gout?
Allopurinol
What lifestyle modifications are recommended for gout?
- Reduce alcohol intake
- Lose weight if obese
- Avoid high purine foods
What does ROME stand for in arterial blood gas interpretation?
Respiratory = Opposite, Metabolic = Equal
What is the first line treatment for chronic plaque psoriasis?
Potent corticosteroid + vitamin D analogue
What is hyperhidrosis?
Excessive production of sweat
What is the first line management for hyperhidrosis?
Topical aluminium chloride preparations
What is urinary incontinence (UI)?
A common problem affecting 4-5% of the population
What are the risk factors for urinary incontinence?
- Advancing age
- Previous pregnancy and childbirth
- High BMI
- Hysterectomy
- Family history
What are the types of urinary incontinence?
- Overactive bladder (OAB)/ Urge incontinence
- Stress incontinence
- Mixed incontinence
- Overflow incontinence
- Functional incontinence
What is the initial investigation for urinary incontinence?
Bladder diaries
What is the management approach for urge incontinence?
Bladder retraining, antimuscarinics, pelvic floor muscle training, surgical options
Antimuscarinics include Oxybutynin and Tolterodine.
What are the first-line medications for urge incontinence?
Antimuscarinics: Oxybutynin, Tolterodine, Darifenacin
Mirabegron may be used in frail elderly patients.
What is the recommended duration for pelvic floor muscle training?
At least 3 months, with contractions performed 3 times per day
Minimum of 8 contractions each session.
What is the first-line treatment for chronic heart failure?
An ACE inhibitor and a beta blocker
One drug should be started at a time.
Which medications are considered second-line for chronic heart failure?
Aldosterone antagonists: Spironolactone, Eplerenone
Potassium levels should be monitored due to the risk of hyperkalemia.
What are the criteria for using Ivabradine in heart failure management?
Sinus rhythm > 75/min and LVEF < 35%
LVEF stands for Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction.
What is the main feature of temporal arteritis?
Vasculitis affecting medium and large-sized vessels
Also known as giant cell arteritis (GCA).
What is the first-line treatment for temporal arteritis?
High-dose prednisolone
Treatment should start promptly upon suspicion.
What are the common symptoms of sarcoidosis?
Dyspnea, non-productive cough, malaise, weight loss
Acute features include erythema nodosum and bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy.
What antibodies are associated with limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis?
Anti-centromere antibodies
CREST syndrome is a subtype of limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis.
What are the key features of Bell’s palsy?
Acute unilateral facial nerve paralysis, post-auricular pain, altered taste
More common in pregnant women.
What is the typical treatment for Bell’s palsy?
Prednisolone within 72 hours of onset
Antivirals may be added for severe cases.
What are the clinical features of aortic stenosis?
Chest pain, dyspnea, syncope, ejection systolic murmur
Murmur radiates to the carotids and decreases with Valsalva maneuver.
What is the most common cause of aortic stenosis in patients over 65?
Degenerative calcification
Bicuspid aortic valve is common in younger patients.
What is the hallmark rash of Lyme disease?
Erythema migrans, a ‘bulls-eye’ rash
Typically appears 1-4 weeks after a tick bite.
What is the first-line test for suspected Lyme disease?
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
If negative, repeat ELISA after 4-6 weeks.
What should be done for suspected bacterial meningitis in a pre-hospital setting?
Administer IM benzylpenicillin if meningococcal disease is suspected
This should not delay transit to the hospital.
What investigations should be performed in suspected bacterial meningitis?
FBC, U&E, CRP, glucose, lactate, clotting profile
If lumbar puncture is performed, test CSF for glucose, protein, and cultures.
What are the signs that indicate severe sepsis or rapidly evolving rash?
Sepsis or rapidly evolving rash, severe respiratory or cardiac compromise, significant bleeding risk, signs of raised intracranial pressure, focal neurological signs, papilledema, continuous or uncontrolled seizures, GCS ≤ 12
GCS refers to the Glasgow Coma Scale, a neurological scale that aims to provide a reliable, objective way of recording the conscious state of a person.
What investigations should be performed if a lumbar puncture (LP) has been performed?
CSF should be tested for:
* Glucose
* Protein
* Microscopy and culture
* Lactate
* Meningococcal and pneumococcal PCR
* Enteroviral, herpes simplex and varicella-zoster PCR
* Consider investigation for TB meningitis
These tests help in diagnosing various types of meningitis and other CNS infections.
What is the initial empirical therapy for patients aged < 3 months with suspected bacterial meningitis?
IV cefotaxime + amoxicillin (or ampicillin)
This combination is used to cover a broad range of potential pathogens.
What is the management strategy for patients with signs of raised ICP?
IV access for bloods and blood cultures, LP if cannot be done within 1st hour, IV antibiotics, IV dexamethasone, CT scan not normally indicated, critical care input, secure airway + high flow oxygen, IV fluid resuscitation
Management may vary based on the severity and specific circumstances of the patient’s condition.
What are the common causes of primary hypothyroidism?
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, subacute thyroiditis, Riedel thyroiditis, drug therapy (lithium, amiodarone, anti-thyroid: carbimazole), dietary iodine deficiency
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is the most common cause and is an autoimmune condition.
What are the key features of acute pericarditis?
Pleuritic chest pain relieved by sitting forwards, non-productive cough, dyspnea, flu-like symptoms, pericardial rub
Symptoms may mimic those of myocardial infarction but differ in nature and response to position.
Which ECG changes are most specific for pericarditis?
PR depression
This is considered the most specific ECG marker for pericarditis.
What is the first-line treatment for acute idiopathic or viral pericarditis?
NSAIDs + Colchicine
This treatment is aimed at reducing inflammation and managing pain.
What defines the diagnosis of trigeminal neuralgia according to the International Headache Society?
A unilateral disorder characterized by brief electric shock-like pains, abrupt in onset and termination, limited to one or more divisions of the trigeminal nerve
Pain is often triggered by light touch and can remit for variable periods.
What are the red flag symptoms for trigeminal neuralgia?
Sensory changes, deafness or other ear problems, history of skin or oral lesions, pain only in the ophthalmic division, optic neuritis, family history of multiple sclerosis, age of onset < 40
These symptoms may suggest an underlying serious condition requiring further investigation.
What is the management for patients with dyspepsia suspected of having cancer?
Urgent referral for endoscopy within 2 weeks for patients with dysphagia, upper abdominal mass consistent with stomach cancer, and patients > 55 y/o with weight loss and other symptoms
Early detection of gastrointestinal cancers can significantly improve prognosis.
What tests are used for the initial diagnosis of H. pylori infection?
Carbon-13 urea breath test, stool Helicobacter antigen test, laboratory-based serology
These tests help in confirming the presence of H. pylori, which is linked to peptic ulcers.
What is the first-line treatment regimen for H. pylori in patients without penicillin allergy?
PPI + amoxicillin + clarithromycin/metronidazole for 7 days
This combination targets the bacteria effectively and helps in reducing gastric acid.
What are the key features for diagnosing Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?
Abdominal pain AND/OR bloating AND/OR change in bowel habit
Positive diagnosis requires abdominal pain relieved by defecation or associated with altered bowel frequency.