MSK/Rheumatology Flashcards
describe the disease process behind osteoarthritis
general wear and tear, a chronic degenerative disease.
loss of articular cartilage - exposed bone becomes sclerotic.
attempts at repair produces osteophytes (nodules).
describe the usual onset of osteoarthritis
> 50yrs, slow and gradual
describe the pattern of joint involvement of osteoarthritis
asymmetrical.
finger joints, thumbs + weight bearing joints (hip/knee)
what hand changes are common to osteoarthritis?
Heberden’s (DIP) + Bouchard’s (PIP) nodes.
NO swelling.
what systemic features are present in osteoarthritis?
NONE
describe the character of the pain from osteoarthritis
increases with movement, worse at the end of the day.
what would the lab findings be in osteoarthrits?
RhF -ve, ANA -ve, raised CRP, normal ESR
what would be the radiological findings in osteoarthritis?
LOSS.
Loss of joint space, Osteophytes, Subchondral cysts, Sclerosis.
what main features would you use to differentiate between rheumatoid and osteoarthritis?
pattern of joint involvement.
absence of systemic features of OA.
RA has marked early morning stiffness lasting >60mins.
how would you treat osteoarthritis?
exercise for local muscle strength/aerobic fitness.
analgesia - paracetamol ± topical NSAIDs.
codeine/short-term oral NSAID (+PPI).
intra-articular steroid injections.
joint replacement surgery.
describe the disease process behind rheumatoid arthritis
chronic systemic inflammatory, autoimmune disease.
production of cytokines (IL-1,2,4,6,8 + TNFalpha) by T cells = inflammation.
local rheumatoid factor production.
synovitis => pannus formation => pannus destroys articular cartilage and subchondral bone.
describe the usual onset of rheumatoid arthritis
aged 30-50. rapid, within a year.
describe the pattern of joints affected by rheumatoid arthritis
symmetrical.
small and large joints on both sides.
>3 affected, hands usually involved.
what hand changes are common to rheumatoid arthritis?
swan neck deformity, Boutonniere’s deformity, Z thumb, ulnar deviation, hot swollen joints.
what systemic features are present in rheumatoid arthritis?
elbow and lung nodules, vasculitis, pericarditis, carpal tunnel, Sjorgen’s, Raynaud’s, lymphadenopathy, fever, fatigue
describe the character of the pain from rheumatoid arthritis
morning stiffness >60 mins.
pain is accompanied by stiffness.
what would the lab findings be in rheumatoid arthritis?
RhF +ve, anti-CCP +ve (highly specific for RA), raised CRP, raised ESR
what would be the radiological findings in rheumatoid arthritis?
LESS.
Loss of joint space, Erosions, Sublaxation, Swelling of soft tissue.
how would you treat rheumatoid arthritis?
1) physio, psych, podiatry
2) DMARDs - MTX or sulfasalazine (other options = chloroquine, leflunomide, sulfasalazine, gold)
adjunct - corticosteroid (low dose pred) + NSAID (lowest effective dose) short term
3) biologics e.g. rituximab, tocilizumab, abatacept - expensive, only use if failure to respond to 2 DMARDs after 2 trials of 6/12
what is the diagnostic criteria for rheumatoid arthritis?
need 4 out of 7:
morning stiffness >1h.
3+ joints affected.
arthritis in hand joints.
symmetrical.
rheumatoid nodules.
RhF+ve.
radiological changes.
what rheumatoid arthritis treatment requires regular pregnancy tests in women of child-bearing age and why?
methotrexate - it’s a folic acid antagonist, risk of neural tube defects is high.
what disease lowers your risk of developing osteoarthritis?
osteoporosis
define osteoporosis, in general terms
low bone mass and micro-architectural deterioration leading to bone fragility and increased fracture risk
How do you assess risk for osteoporosis
FRAX Risk factors:
- age
- sex
- weight
- Height
- Previous fracture
- Parental fracture
- Current smoking
- Glucocorticoids
- rheumatoid arthritis
- Secondary osteoporosis
- alcohol intake
what fractures might alert you that a patient could have osteoporosis?
thoracic and lumbar vertebrae (vertebral crush).
proximal femur.
distal radius (Colles’ fracture).
pelvis
usually asymptomatic until #, may notice loss of height, kyphosis
what is the gold standard investigation for osteoporosis? what is the T score?
DEXA bone scan for bone mineral density (BMD)
T score and Z score:
osteoporosis = -2.5
osteopaenia = -1 to -2.5
T score compares to normal adult, Z score compares to patient of same age group (more useful in kids, not that helpful in elderly).
standard deviations.
what lifestyle measures should an osteoporosis patient take?
smoking cessation, low alcohol intake, weight bearing exercises, calcium and vit D rich diet, home help, balance work (tai chi, physio), falls prevention - medication review!
how would you medically treat osteoporosis?
bisphophonates e.g. alendronate, zolendronate
calcium + vit D (AdCal D3, Accrete D3)
if low testosterone - add.
strontium ranelate or denosumab (monoclonal ab to RANKL) - if intolerant to bisphosphonates.
HRT is preventative, but not used to treat.
explain the pathophysiology of SLE
inflammatory, multisystem autoimmune disease with antinuclear antibodies, usually affecting skin and joints.
apoptotic cells and cell fragments aren’t cleared efficiently by phagocytes - taken to lymph nodes, taken up by APCs.
APCs present self-antigens from these fragments to T cells, activating B cell proliferation and production of autoantibodies.
Leads to antibody formation, immune complex deposition, complement activation and influx of neutrophils = clinical manifestations.
what 3 genes is SLE associated with?
HLA-B8, DR2, DR3
what are the WHO diagnostic criteria for SLE?
need 4 out of 11 - SOAP BRAIN MD
Serositis
Oral ulcers
ANA +ve
Photosensitivity
Blood disorders
Renal disorder
Arthritis
Immunological disorder
Neurological disorder
Malar rash
Discoid rash
what autoantibodies might you find in a patient with SLE?
ANA, anti-Ro, anti-dsDNA, anti-La
what histological features might you see on investigation of a patient with SLE?
deposition of IgG and complement in kidneys and skin
give 6 symptoms of SLE
Raynaud’s, chest pain, dyspnoea, depression, fatigue, dry eyes/mouth, abdominal pain, joint pain, muscle pain, polyneuropathy/sensory loss
give 6 signs of SLE
malar rash, discoid rash, photosensitivity rash, purpura, weight loss, lymphadenopathy, oral/nasal ulcers, bruising, proteinuria, fever, pallor due to anaemia
how might you monitor SLE activity?
anti-dsDNA antibody titres.
complement - low C3/C4.
ESR.
what ESR/CRP results would make you think of SLE?
multisystem disorder with raised ESR but normal CRP
how would you manage a severe flare of SLE?
IV cyclophosphamide and high-dose prednisolone.
how would you manage the cutaneous symptoms of SLE?
topical steroids, strong sunblock/avoid sun exposure
describe maintenance treatment for SLE
NSAIDs, hydroxychloroquine, low-dose steroids, azathioprine/methotrexate or mycophenolate
how would lupus nephritis be managed?
needs more intense immunosuppression than SLE:
cyclophosphamide/mycophenolate
what are the 4 characteristic clinical features of anti-phospholipid syndrome?
coagulation defect, livedo reticularis (blue/pink mottling), obstetric problems (miscarriages), thrombocytopenia (bleeding)
what is antiphospholipid syndrome?
associated with SLE, or a primary disease.
there are antiphospholipid antibodies causing CLOTS - leads to the features of miscarriages, livedo reticularis etc
what are the 3 diagnostic investigations to be carried out in antiphospholipid syndrome?
lupus anticoagulation test, anti-beta2 glycoprotein test, anticardiolipin test.
indicate +ve blood test for antiphospholipid antibodies.
how would you manage a patient with antiphospholipid syndrome?
warfarin, if there’s recurrent thrombosis.
if high IgG but asymptomatic, then give aspirin/clopidogrel as prophylaxis.
what 2 genes are associated with Sjogren’s syndrome?
HLA-B8/DR3
give 2 secondary causes of Sjogren’s
SLE, RA, scleroderma
what is the characteristic feature of Sjogren’s and where is it seen?
dryness - eyes, mouth (vagina) - and parotid enlargement.
what tests would you do to diagnose Sjogren’s?
Schirmer’s test - filter paper on inside of eyelid for 5 mins, if less than 5mm moistened - positive for Sjogrens
how would you treat Sjogrens?
artificial tears and saliva replacement.
NSAIDs and hydroxycholoroquine for arthralgia.
explain the pathophysiology behind systemic sclerosis
autoimmune dysfunction causes overproduction of collagen.
T cells accumulate in skin and secrete cytokines which stimulate collagen deposition and stimulate fibroblasts.
scleroderma (skin fibrosis) + vascular disease.
what are the features of CREST syndrome?
Calcinosis of subcutaneous tissue.
Raynaud’s.
oEsophageal and gut dysmotility.
Sclerodactyly - swollen, tight digits.
Telangiectasia (spider veins).
what parts of the body is skin involvement limited to in CREST syndrome?
hands, feet and face
what parts of the body are affected by diffuse systemic sclerosis?
diffuse skin involvement.
heart, lungs, GI tract and kidneys all involved.
what antibodies might you find on investigation of a patient with systemic sclerosis?
ANA, RhF, ACA, anti-topoisomerase, anti-RNA polymerase
how would you treat systemic sclerosis?
IV cyclophosphamide.
ACEi/ARBs reduce risk of renal problems.
what is myositis?
inflammation of striated muscle
what are the features of polymyositis?
progressive symmetrical proximal muscle weakness with myalgia ± arthralgia.
muscle weakness causes dysphagia, dysphonia (e.g. hoarseness), respiratory weakness.
give 3 features of dermatomyositis
macular rash, lilac-purple rash on eyelids with oedema, nailfold erythema, roughened red papules over knuckles/elbows/knees, subcutaneous calcification
give 3 extra-muscular signs of polymyositis/dermatomyositis
fever, arthralgia, Raynaud’s, interstitial lung fibrosis, myocardial involvement
what investigation is needed to confirm a diagnosis of polymyositis/dermatomyositis?
muscle biopsy
what would blood tests show in a patient with polymyositis/dermatomyositis?
muscle enzymes (ALT, AST, LDH, CK, aldolase) are raised in plasma.
autoantibodies - anti-Mi2, antiJo1.
how would you manage polymyositis/dermatomyositis?
oral prednisolone.
resistant disease - azathioprine/methotrexate.
screen for malignancy
give 4 causes of Raynaud’s phenomenon
SLE, systemic sclerosis, RA, polycythaemia rubra vera, hypothyroidism, Buerger’s disease.
primary = Raynaud’s disease
explain the pathophysiology of Raynaud’s
peripheral digital ischaemia due to vasospasm precipitated by cold and relieved by heat
what are the clinical features of Raynaud’s?
skin pallor, then cyanosis, then hot and red.
numbness then burning sensation and severe pain due to hyperaemia.
how would you manage a patient with Raynaud’s?
keep hands and feet warm - gloves, heating pads.
smoking cessation.
nifedipine - CCB, vasodilates.
what class of drugs should be stopped in patients with Raynaud’s?
beta blockers
what gene is associated with ankylosing spondylitis?
HLA-B27
what is ankylosing spondylitis?
seronegative spondylarthopathy of axial skelent - spine and sacroiliac joints.
does ankylosing spondylitis more commonly affect men or women?
men
describe the clinical features of ankylosing spondylitis
inflammatory back pain + enthesitis
progressive loss of spinal movement.
stiffness and pain waking in early morning. gradual onset. improves with moving but not with rest.
tenderness at sacroiliac region (felt in buttocks) or limited spinal motion.
usually a 20-30yo M.
severe disease - kyphosis and neck hyperextension - question mark posture.
may also get fever and wt loss.
describe the back pain experienced in ankylosing spondylitis
radiating from sacroiliac joints to hips/buttocks.
worse at night, improves towards end of day.
name 2 diseases associated with ankylosing spondylitis
osteoporosis
aortic valve incompetence
pulmonary fibrosis
overlaps with psoriatic arthritis, enteropathic arthritis (IBD), reactive arthritis.
what antibody is NEVER seen with ankylosing spondylitis?
rheumatoid factor
how would you treat ankylosing spondylitis?
no cure.
NSAIDs, physio, exercises.
2nd line = TNF alpha blocker (etanercept) if NSAIDs fail.
give 4 clinical features of psoriatic arthritis
symmetrical polyarthritis OR asymmetrical oligoarthritis (up to 5), affects DIP joints most commonly, nail dystrophy, dactylitis, asymmetrical oligoarthritis, spinal arthritis, acneiform rashes, palmo-plantar pustulosis
what is reactive arthritis?
a sterile arthritis that tends to follow dysentery or UTIs
give some possible causative organisms of reactive arthritis
campylobacter, salmonella, shigella.
**chlamydia
what are the 3 cardinal symptoms of reactive arthritis? aka Reiter’s syndrome
urethritis, arthritis (typically lower limb) and conjunctivitis
can’t see can’t pee can’t climb a tree
list some clinical features of reactive arthritis
asymmetrical joint involvement, generally of lower limbs.
skin lesions may resemble psoriasis.
iritis.
keratoderma blenorrhagica (bown plaques on soles and palms).
mouth ulcers.
enthesitis.
what is vasculitis?
inflammatory disorder of blood vessel walls, causing destruction (aneurysm/rupture) or stenosis.
affect different vessels/organs - all feature overwhelming fatigue and raised ESR/CRP.
what is the underlying pathology of polyarteritis nodosa?
a vasculitis - fibrinoid necrosis of vessel walls with microaneurysm formation, thrombosis and infarction in medium sized arteries.
affects any organ but spares pulmonary and glomerular arteries. nerve and skin most commonly affected.
list some features of polyarteritis nodosa
general - fever, malaise, weight loss, myalgia.
neuro - mononeuritis multiplex.
skin - purpura, livedo reticularis, ulcers, gangrene.
cardiac - angina, HF, pericarditis.
renal - hypertension, haematuria, renal failure.
GI - pain or perforation, malabsorption.
GU - orchitis.
what investigation would you carry out in polyarteritis nodosa?
angiography - microaneurysms and focal narrowing (rosary sign).
bloods - high WCC, anaemia, raised ESR and CRP, HbsAg, urinalysis.
no ANCA - as no small vessel involvement, differentiates it from other vasculitic disease.
how would you treat polyarteritis nodosa?
prednisolone ± cyclophosphamide (DMARD).
what hepatic disease is associated with PAN?
hepatitis B.
describe the clinical features of polymyalgia rheumatica
age >50yrs.
subacute (less than 2wks) of bilateral aching, tenderness and morning stiffness in shoulder and proximal limb muscles.
± mild polyarthritis, tenosynovitis and carpal tunnel syndrome.
± weight loss, fatigue, fever, anorexia
NO weakness.
what is a common presenting problem in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica?
giant cell temporal arteritis
how would you treat polymyalgia rheumatica?
prednisolone will improve within 24-48hrs.
- start high - 15mg for 3 weeks
- titrate down (10mg for 4-6 weeks, etc)
PPI and Ca/VitD/bisphosphonate for gut and bone protection.