MSK and Rheum - SLE, Antiphospholipid Syndrome, Sjögrens Syndrome, Drug-Induced Lupus Flashcards
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) - what is it?
Inflammatory multi-system autoimmune condition affecting connective tissue
Manifests differently in different patients
SLE - What does the erythematosus in Systemic lupus erythematosus refer to?
Refers to the typical red malar rash that occurs across the face
SLE - how does it present in terms of time period?
RELAPSING-REMITTING COURSE, with flares and periods where symptoms are improved
SLE - pathophysiology
- SLE is characterised by anti-nuclear antibodies
- These are antibodies to proteins within the persons own cell nucleus
- This causes the immune system to target theses proteins
- When the immune system is activated by these antibodies targeting proteins in the cell nucleus it generates an inflammatory response
TYPE 3 HYPERSENSITIVITY REACTION
SLE - what are flare ups/flares triggered by?
Oestrogen-containing contraception
Overexposure to sunlight
Infections
Stress
SLE - what is the classical presentation?
Some combination of:
1. Systemic upset (fever / myalgia / fatigue / weight loss)
- Joint and/or skin involvement
SLE - what are the dermatological presentations?
Photosensitivity - most common dermatological feature of SLE, occurs in form of a malar rash
Mouth / nose / genital ulcers
Cutaneous vasculitis - which manifests as splinter haemorrhages / purpura
Discoid rash
SLE - what are the CV presentations?
Pericarditis, which is the MOST COMMON cardiac feature of SLE
Myocarditis, which can present as arrhythmias and heart failure
Raynaud’s phenomenon
SLE - what are the respiratory issues that can occur?
Pleurisy
Pleural effusions
Pneumonitis - in the acute form can mimic pneumonia, chronic pneumonitis causes pulmonary fibrosis
SLE - what renal manifestations can occur?
LUPUS NEPHRITIS - most common cause of lupus-related death
Can be asymptomatic, before it presents as either nephritic or nephrotic syndrome
Patients should be monitored regularly for renal disease
Monitoring includes checking BP (sudden hypertension) and urinalysis (for proteinuria or haematuria)
SLE - what are the neurological manifestations?
Seizures
Migraines
Peripheral neuropathies
Psychiatric symptoms including psychosis or depression or anxiety
SLE - what are the haematological presentations?
Anaemia of chronic disease (common)
Lymphopenia (common)
Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia
Thrombocytopenia
Leucopoenia
SLE - what are the GI manifestations that can occur?
Peritonitis (aseptic)
Hepatosplenomegaly
SLE - what are conditions that can develop
Secondary Sjogren’s syndrome
Secondary anti-phospholipid syndrome
Mixed connective tissue disease
SLE - what antibodies are associated with SLE?
Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) - 99% are positive, high sensitivity makes it a useful rule out test, but has low specificity
20% are rheumatoid factor (Rf) positive
anti-dsDNA: highly specific (> 99%), but less sensitive (70%)
anti-Smith: highly specific (> 99%), sensitivity (30%)