Ortho/Rheum -- 12% of EOR Flashcards
How is fibromyalgia diagnosed?
Clinical diagnosis
- Labs will be normal
- Chronic pain 3+ months
- Tenderness in 11+ of 18 trigger points (must be bilateral, above and below waist)
- Sleep studies will show no REM cycle
How is fibromyalgia treated?
Conservative measures:
- Patient education
- Sleep hygiene
- Low impact aerobic exercise
Medical treatment:
- TCAs (amitryptilline) = 1st line
- SSNRI (duloxetine)
- Pregabalin, esp useful for sleep symptoms
How do the presentations (not diagnostic findings) of gout and pseudogout differ?
- Pseudogout usually in patients 60+ YO
- Gout is usually found in a younger population than pseudogout
- Pseudogout more likely to be found incidentally (asymptomatic) than gout – but clinically indistinguishable when symptomatic
Describe the color, polarity, and morphology of the findings on arthrocentesis in gout
- Yellow (when parallel to polarizer)
- Negatively bifrigent
- Needle-shaped
Describe the color, polarity, and morphology of the findings on arthrocentesis in pseudogout
- Blue (when parallel to polarizer)
- Positively bifrigent
- Rhomboid-shaped
What are the crystal compositions in gout and in pseudogout?
Gout: monosodium urate
Pseudogout: Ca pyrophosphae dehydrate
Punched out lesions and tophi are XR findings in what rheumatological condition?
Punched-out “rat-bite” lesions and tophi are associated with gout
What XR findings might be found in pseudogout?
Fine, linear calcifications of the cartilage
What kind of anti-hypertensive medication must be avoided in patients with gout?
Thiazide diuretics
What is the treatment for an acute gout attack?
- NSAIDs – indomethacin TID is first line
- Steroids if refractory or if renal dz precludes NSAID use
- Colchicine can be used but has bad GI AEs
What is the treatment for chronic gout prophylaxis?
- LSMs
- Allopurinol – do NOT start during acute attack
- Colchicine
- Uricosuric drugs - probenecid, suulfinpyrazone – these are CIx w/renal dz
What is the very general pathophys of gout?
Uric acid accumulation and deposition in synovial fluid, 2/2 to:
- Underexcretion from kidneys (renal dz, thiazides, ASA)
- Overproduction due to increased cell turnover (chemo, cancer, hemolysis)
What is the tx for pseudogout?
- Colchicine
- NSAIDs are 1st line if 2+ joints involved
- Steroids:
- intraarticular if 1-2 joints
- PO if 3+ joints
What is used for prophylaxis of pseudogout, when is it initiated, and what is the MOA?
Colchicine used for prophylaxis in pts with 3+ attacks per year
Colchicine inhibits microtubule assembly
What are some AEs associated with cochicine use?
Diarrhea and bone marrow suppression –> neutropenia
What drugs can cause/exacerbate gout?
- ACEi’s
- ARBs except losartan
- ASA
- Thiazide diuretics
- Loop diuretics
- Pyrazinamide
- Ethambutol
What body systems are involved in polyarteritis nodosa? What body system is characteristically spared?
Renal GI CNS Dermatologic \+ constitutional symptoms
Pulmonary vessels are generally not involved
50 YO male with hx of HTN, chronic Hep B, and Raynaud’s presents with vague symptoms of malaise and arthralgia, some fevers, neuropathy, and worsening pain after meals. What is this suspicious for and how is it treated?
Polyarteritis nodosa, treated with steroids +/- cyclophophamide if severe/refractory
In patients with Hep B, antiviral tx of hepatitis and possibly plasmapheresis
What viral illness is associated with polyarteritis nodosa?
Hep B and Hep C
What lab findings might be expected in a patient with polyarteritis nodosa?
Elevated ESR
Proteinurea
ANCA (-)
How is polyarteritis nodosa diagnosed?
Definitive diagnosis via biopsy - will show necrotizing medium vessel vasculitis without granulomas
Renal and/or mesenteric angiography will show microaneurysms with abrupt cut off of small arteries (“beading”)
What vessels are affected in polyarteritis nodosa?
Medium-sized vessels
Pt presents with symmetric, painless muscle weakness in proximal muscles evidenced by difficulty combing hair and rising from chair.
What is this suspicious for?
Polymyositis
Pt presents with symmetric, painless muscle weakness in proximal muscles evidenced by difficulty combing hair and rising from chair.
What lab findings might be expected for the likely diagnosis?
Elevated Cr Kinase Elevated aldolase Elevated ESR, CRP, possible RF Normocytic, normochronic anemia Anti-Jo-1 Anti-signal recognition protein \+ ANA
Pt presents with symmetric, painless muscle weakness in proximal muscles evidenced by difficulty combing hair and rising from chair.
What is the diagnostic test for the most likely diagnosis?
Muscle biopsy showing endomysial inflammation is definitive
Usually first step is electromyography
How is polymyositis treated?
High-dose corticosteroids are first line
Alternatives:
- Methotrexate
- IVIG
- Mycophenolate
- Azathioprine