Passmed Rheumatology Mushkies Flashcards
What shoulder never be prescribed with methotrexate?
Co-trimoxazole/trimethoprim
What is the MOA of methotrexate?
Antimetabolite that inhibits DHFR, which is essential for the synthesis of purines and pyrimidines
What are 3 indications of methotrexate?
- RhA
- Psoriasis
- Chemo for e.g. ALL
What are 5 adverse effects of methotrexate?
- Mucositis
- Myelosuppression
- Pneumonitis
- Pulmonary fibrosis
- Liver fibrosis
What are some guidelines regarding methotrexate and pregnancy?
- Women should avoid pregnancy for at least 6m after treatment has stopped
- Men using methotrexate need to use effective contraception for at least 6m after treatment
How often is methotrexate given?
Weekly
How is methotrexate monitored?
FBC, U&E and LFTs before treatment, weekly until therapy stabilised, then every 2-3m
What should be co-prescribed with methotrexate?
Folic acid 5mg once weekly, taken >24hrs after methorexate dose
What is the starting dose of methotrexate?
7.5mg weekly
What is the usual dose of one tablet of methotrexate?
2.5mg
What is the treatment of choice for methotrexate toxicity?
Folinic acid
What drug increases the risk of methotrexate toxicity secondary to redeced excretion?
High dose aspirin
When does the risk of osteoporosis increase significantly for pts on steroids?
Equivalent of 7.5mg prednisolone per day for 3 or more months
If pt is at risk of corticosteroid induced osteoporosis, what should they be prescribed?
- Calcium
- Vitamin D
- Bisphosphonate
What drugs are associated with an increased risk of atypical stress fractures?
Bisphosphonates
What is the MOA of bisphosphonates?
Inhibit osteoclasts by reducing recruitment and promoting apoptosis
What are 4 uses for bisphosphonates?
- Prevention and Tx of osteoporosis
- Hypercalcaemia
- Paget’s
- Pain from bone metastases
What are 5 complications of bisphosphonates?
- Oeseophageal reactions (oesophagitis, oesophageal ulcers)
- Osteonecrosis of the jaw
- Atypical stress fractures
- Acute phase response (fever, myalgia and arthralgia may occur following administration)
- Hypocalcaemia
How does the BNF suggest pts should take bisphosphonates?
Tablets should be swallowed whole with plenty of water while sitting or standing; to be given on an empty stomach at least 30 minutes before breakfast (or another oral medication); patient should stand or sit upright for at least 30 minutes after taking tablet
When should bisphosphonates be stopped after 5 years of treatment?
- Pt <75 y/o
- Femoral neck T score >-2.5
- Low risk according to FRAX/NOGG
What kind of receptors do IFNa/b bind to?
Type I receptors
What kind of receptors do IFNy receptors bind to?
Type II receptors
What are 2 side effects of IFNa?
Flu-like symptoms and depression
What are 4 uses of IFNa?
- Hep B&C
- Kaposi’s sarcoma
- Metastatic RCC
- Hairy cell leukaemia
What is a use for IFNb?
Reduces the frequency of exacerbations in pts with relapsing-remitting MS
What are 2 uses for IFNy?
CGD and osteopetrosis
What is the treatment for Paget’s disease of the bone?
Oral risedronate or IV zoledronate
What are risk factors for Paget’s disease?
- Age
- Male
- Northern latitude
- FHx
What are classical, untreated features of Paget’s disease?
Bowing of tibia and bossing of skull
What are 5 complications of Paget’s disease?
- Deafness (CN entrapment)
- Bone sarcoma
- Fractures
- Skull thickening
- High output CF
Which bones does Paget’s disease typically effect?
- Skull
- Spine/pelvis
- Long bones of lower extremities
What is a complication of using TNFa inhibitors?
Reactivation of TB
What is the first line management for RhA?
DMARD monotherapy +/- a short course of bridging prednisolone
How can you monitor RhA response to tx?
CRP and DAS28
What is the most common DMARD used for tx of RhA?
Methotrexate?
What are 4 DMARDs?
Methotrexate, Sulfasalazine, leflunomide, hydroxychloroquine
What is the current indication for a TNF inhbitor for tx of RhA?
Inadequate response to at least 2 DMARDs including methotrexate
How is rituximab given?
2 x 1g infusions are given 2 weeks apart
What is the first line analgesic management of OA?
Paracetamol + topical NSAIDs
What is the first line conservative management of OA?
Weight loss, local muscle strengthening exercises and general aerobic fitness
What are the second line analgesic treatments for OA?
- NSAIDs/COX2i
- Opioids
- Capsaicin cream
- Intra-articular corticosteroids
What is a non-pharmacological management for OA?
- Supports and braces
- TENS
- Shock-absorbing insoles or shoes
How can you classify the X-ray findings of RhA?
Early and late X ray findings
What are the early X ray findings of RhA?
- Loss of joint space
- Juxta-articular osteoporosis
- Soft tissue swelling
What are the late X ray findings of RhA/
- Peri-articular erosions
2. Subluxation
Which inflammatory marker is usually normal in SLE?
CRP
What is the most common cause of death with diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis?
Respiratory involvement –> ILD/Pulmonary arterial HTN
What is scleroderma?
Tightening of skin without internal organ involvement
What antibodies are associated with drug-induced lupus?
Anti-histone
What are some characteristic features of drug-induced lupus?
Usually resolves on drug stopping, dsDNA negative
What is a drug that can cause drug-induced lupus?
Isoniazid
What is the treatment of choice for acute reactive arthritis?
NSAIDs, as long as there are no contraindications
What are treatments for persistent reactive arthritis?
- Intra-articular steroids
- Sulfasalazine
- Methotrexate
What is keratoderma blenorrhagicum?
Waxy yellow/brown papules on palms and soles due to reactive arthritis
What is circinate balanitis?
Painless vesicles on the coronal margin of the prepuce
What is the typical pattern seen in reactive arthritis?
Asymmetrical oligoarthritis of the lower limbs
What may/should the ESR be in PMR?
> 40mm/hr
What is the management for PMR?
Prednisolone e.g. 15mg OD should lead to a dramatic response
What is Felty’s syndrome?
Triad of Reactive arthritis, splenomegaly and neutropenia
How can you classify the extra-articular features of RhA?
- Ocular
- Respiratory
- IHD
- Infections
- Depression
6 Osteoporosis
What are some resp complications of RhA?
- Pulmonary fibrosis
- Pleural efflusion
- Pleurisy
- Pulmonary nodules
- Bronchiolitis obliterans
- Methotrexate pneumonitis
What are some ocular complications of RhA?
- Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (most common)
- Episcleritis
- Scleritis
- Corneal ulceration
- Keratitis
- Steroid-induced cataracts
- HCQ retinopathy
What additional skin change is Behcets syndrome associated with?
Erythema nodosum
What is asteatotic eczema also known as?
Crazy paving eczema
What is asteatotic eczema associated with?
Hypothyroidism and lymphoma
What does guttate psoriasis look like?
Teardrops
When is guttate psoriasis typically seen?
After streptococcal throat infections
What is the triad of Behcets syndrome?
Oral ulcers, genital ulcers, anterior uveitis (it is a clinical diagnosis, there is no definitive test)
What test is suggestive of Behcets?
Positive pathergy test (puncture site following needle prick becomes inflamed with small pustule forming)
What is the treatment of choice for osteomalacia?
Vitamin D3 supplementation
What are some causes of osteomalacia?
- Vit D deficiency = malabsorptive, lack of sunlight, diet
- Renal failure
- Liver disease e.g. cirrhosis
- Drugs induced e.g. anticonvulsants
- Genetic
What are 5 side effects of sulfasalazine?
- Oligospermia
- Stevens Johnson Syndrome
- Lung fibrosis
- Myelosuppression
- May colour tears –> stained contact lenses
What are 4 poor prognostic features for RhA?
- RhF positive
- HLA DR4
- Insidious onset
- Anti-CCP Abs
How do you define dermatomyositis?
Inflammatory disorder causing symmetrical proximal muscle weakness and characteristic skin lesions
What is dermatomyositis often associated with?
Cancer (esp. ovarian, breast, lung) - with dermatomyositis being a paraneoplastic complications of the malignancy
What are 5 skin signs of dermatomyositis?
- Gottron’s papules
- Heliotrope rash (periorbital)
- Macular rash over back and shoulder
- Nail fold capillary dilatation
- Photosensitive
What are gottron’s papules?
Roughened red papules over extensor surfaces of fingers
What is pencil cup deformity of the DIPs associated with?
Psoriatic arthritis
What are the types of psoriatic arthropathy?
- Symmetrical polyarthritis (similar to RhA) (30-40%)
- Asymmetrical oligoarthritis (20-30%)
- DIP joint disease (10%)
- Spondyloarthritis
- Arthritis mutilans
What is the buzzword for arthritis mutilans?
Telescoping fingers
What is needed for definitive diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis?
A radiological feature and clinical feature
What percentage of the general population is HLA B27 positive?
12%
What percentage of pts with ankylosing spondylitis are HLA B27 positive?
90%
What might you see on X ray of ankylosing spondylitis?
- Sacroiliitis (subchondral erosions, sclerosis)
- Squaring of lumbar vertebra
- Bamboo spine
- Syndesmophytes
What may you see on CXR of ankylosing spondylitis?
Apical fibrosis
What is a syndesmophyte?
A bony outgrowth originating inside a ligament
What may you see on spirometry of ankylosing spondylitis?
A restrictive defect due to a combination of:
- Pulmonary fibrosis
- Kyphosis
- Ankylosis
How can you distinguish pseudogout from gout on plain radiograph?
Chondrocalcinosis