MSK Flashcards
What is the function of type A and type B cells in the sunovium?
Type A clear debris
Type B produce synovial fluid components
Describe osteoarthritis
Progressive loss of articular cartilage
Give the components of the extracellular matrix of a chondrocyte
Type II collagen
Proteoglycans
Give 6 risk factors for osteoarthritis
Age Inflammation Joint injury Mechanical stress and obesity Neurologic disorders Genetics Medications
How can articular damage to the chondrocytes cause a loss of elasticity and an inflammatory response?
Loss of polteoglycans and increase in type I collagen leads to loss of elasticity
Chondrocytes can undergo apoptosis and flake off into the synovial space
Type A cells bring in macrophages and lymphocytes which produce pro-inflammatory cytokines, causing synovitis
Give 3 bone changes as a result of osteoarthritis
Fibrillations: cracks on articular surface
Bone-bone contact: eburnation (looks like polished ivory)
Osteophytes: bone grows outwards, joints look wider
Where are Heberden nodes found?
Distal interphalangeal joints
Where are Bouchard nodes found?
Proximal interphalangeal joints
Describe the pattern of pain and stiffness in osteoarthritis
Stiffness: less than an hour in the morning, worsens at the end of the day
Pain: sharp ache/ burning, worse with activity
How would you treat osteoarthritis?
Losing weight Exercise Physical therapy Pharmacological: reduce pain/ inflammation Hyaluronic acid injections Surgery
Which human leukocyte antigens are genetic risk factors for rheumatoid arthritis?
HLA-DR1 and HLA-DR4
What is the role of environmental factors in rheumatoid arthritis?
Cigarette smoke/ pathogens can modify our own antigens
Give 3 proteins which can be modified through citrullination in rheumatoid arthritis
IgG antibodies
Type II collagen
Vimentin
What is the result of citrullination in rheumatoid arthritis?
Antigens are no longer recognised by immune cells and are taken to a lymph node and presented to CD4+ helper cells which present to B cells which proliferate and differentiate into plasma cells producing autoantibodies
What is a panus?
Thick, swollen synovial membrane with granulation tissue containing fibroblasts, myofibroblasts and inflammatory cells
Over time, what damage can the panus cause?
Damages other soft tissue, cartilage and can erode bone
Activated synovial cells release proteases which break down cartilage so exposed bone can rub against each other
What effect can inflammatory cytokines have on T-cels presenting RANK-L in rheumatoid arthritis?
T-cells present RANK L which binds to RANK on osteoclasts which are activated to break down bone
Give 2 antibodies produced in rheumatoid arthritis and state what they bind to
Rheumatoid factor (IgM) binds to Fc of altered IgG Anti-CCP binds to citrullinated proteins and forms immune complexes which activate the compliment system and cause inflammation
What is the result of immune complexes depositing in:
The brain
Skin nodules
Blood vessels
Brain: IL-1 or 6 causes pyrogens (fever)
Skin nodules: filled with macrophages and lymphocytes + with central necrosis
Blood vessels: Inflammation, so prone to atheromatous plaques
What is the result of immune complexes depositing in:
The lungs
Skeletal muscle
Liver
Lungs: pleural cavities fill with fluid: pleural effusion
fibroblasts form scar tissue in the interstitium
Skeletal muscle: Protein breakdown
Liver: Increased hepcidin, decreases iron by inhibiting absorption and trapping iron in macrophages/ liver cells
How many joints are typically affected in rheumatoid arthritis?
> 5
It there a symmetrical or asymmetrical pattern of join inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis?
Symmetrical
Which joints are commonly affected in rheumatoid arthritis?
MCP, PIP, MTP
Give 4 symptoms of rheumatoid flares
Swollen
Warm
Red
Painful
Describe the 3 specific deformities found with rheumatoid arthritis
Ulnar deviation
Boutonniere deformity: PIP flexion, DIP hyper-extension
Swan neck: PIP hyper-extension, DIP flexion
How can a Baker (popliteal) cyst form as a result of rheumatoid arthritis?
One way valve forms in the knee joint, causing fluid to fill the semi-membranous bursa
Synovial sack can bulge posteriorly into the popliteal fossa
Give 4 extra-articular symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis
Fever
Low appetite
Malaise
Weakness
Give the 3 conditions that make up Felty syndrome
Rheumatoid arthritis
Splenomegaly
Granulocytopoenia
How would you diagnose rheumatoid arthritis?
Blood tests: Rheumatic factor and anti-citrullinated peptide antibody (anti-CCP)
X-Ray: loss of bone density, bony erosions, soft tissue swelling, narrowing of joint space
How would you treat rheumatoid arthritis?
Disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs):
Methotrexate
Hydroxychloroquine
Sulfasalazine
Biologic response modifiers:
Abatacept (suppress T cells)
Rituximab (suppress B cells)
Describe gout
Monosodium urate crystals deposit in the joints which then become red, hot, swollen and tender
What is the cause of gout?
Hyperuricemia
What are purines and what are they converted to in the body?
N-containing, key components of DNA and RNA, covered to uric acid which has limited solubility in body fluid
What happens when uric acid levels are greater than 6.8mg/dL
Urate ion binds to sodium and forms monosodium urate crystals
Give 3 generic causes of monosodium rate crystal formation
Increased purine consumption
Decreased clearance of uric acid
Increased production of purines
Give 4 foods which are high in purines
Shellfish
Anchovies
Red meat
Organ meat
What may cause a decrease in clearance of uric acid?
Dehydration
What may cause an increase in the production of purines?
High-fructose corn syrup beverages
Give 6 risk factors of gout
Obesity Diabetes Chemo Genetic predisposition CKD Meds: thiazide diuretics and aspirin
What is the most commonly affected joint with gout?
First metatarsal joint of the big toe: podogra
What is the cause of inflammation in gout?
Leukocyte migration to site in order to eliminate uric acid
How would you treat gout?
Decrease pain and swelling: NSAIDs, corticosteroids and colchicine (inhibits WBC migration) Treat underlying cause: Diet modification Decrease uric acid levels: Xanthine oxidase inhibitors: Allopurinol
What causes chronic gout and what are the risks with this?
Repeated gouty attacks Risk of: Arthritis Tissue destruction Kidney stones and urate neuropathy Tophi (permanent nodules)
Describe pseudogout
Calcium pyrophosphate deposition
Describe the pattern of acute pseudogout
Monoarthropathy of larger joints in the elderly
Describe the pattern of chronic pseudogout
Inflammatory, symmetrical polyarthritis and synovitis
Give 3 potential causes of acute pseudogout
Illness
Surgery
Trauma
Give 4 risk factors of pseudogout
Old age
Hyperparathyroidism
Haemochromatosis
Hypophosphataemia
How would you diagnose pseudogout?
Polarised light microscopy of synovial fluid
X-Ray: soft tissue calcium deposition
How would you manage pseudogout?
Acute: cool packs, rest, aspiration, intra-articular steroids
Prophylaxis: NSAIDs and colchicine
Chronic: Methotrexate and hydrochloroquine
Describe osteoporosis
Age-related disorder causing gradual loss of bone density and strength
Give 5 modifiable risk factors for osteoporosis
Excess alcohol Vitamin D deficiency Smoking Malnutrition Underweight Heavy metals PPIs
Give 5 non-modifiable risk factors for osteoporosis
Female Age Menopause Ethnicity FHx Build