PBL Flashcards
1
Q
What is citrullination?
A
When amino acid arginine is replaced by citrulline. This can disturb the stability of proteins and cause DNA damage.
2
Q
What are the common side effects of methotrexate?
A
- loss of appetite, feeling/being sick, stomach ache or indigestion
- diarrhoea
- headaches
- feeling tired or drowsy
- hair loss
3
Q
What are the serious side effects of methotrexate?
A
- jaundice (could indicate liver problems)
- cough, chest pain, difficuly breathing, breathlessness (could indicate inflammation in lungs)
- swollen hands/ankles/feet, changes to urination or no urination (could indicate kidney problems)
- high temp, chills, muscle aches, sore throat (could indicate an infection)
- bleeding gums, blood in urine, vomitting blood, unexplained bruising (could indicate blood disorder)
- severe skin rash/blisters on skin, mouth, eyes or genitals (could indicate Stevens-Johnson syndrome)
4
Q
What is Stevens-Johnson syndrome?
A
- affects the skin, mucous membrane, genitals and eyes
- blistering and ulceration
- can lead to dehydration
5
Q
What csDMARDs may be used to treat rheumatoid arthritis?
A
- methotrexate
- leflunomide
- hydrxychloroquine
- sulfasalazine
- Gold (myocrisin)
- cyclosporin
- azathioprine
- penicillamine
6
Q
What is rheumatoid factor?
A
- autoantibodies that target antigenic determinants on the Fc fragment of IgG
- RA patients who are RF-postive tend to have more aggressive joint disease
7
Q
What are autoantibodies?
A
Antibodies that recognise ‘self’
8
Q
What is anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP)?
A
- an autoantibody that attacks healthy tissue
- recognises proteins where arginine has been modified to citrulline
9
Q
How is citrullinatin associated with RA?
A
Citrullinated proteins, and the enzymes that produe them, are found in inflamed synovium.
