Pharmacology - Arthritis Flashcards
1
Q
Automimmune disease causes
A
-antibodies against self (loss of self-tolerance)
-lead to tissue damage
-genetic factors
-can be precipitated by:
pregnancy, infection, diet, env?
2
Q
Osteoarthritis characteristics
A
- cartilage loss
- most commonly affects knees, hips and small hand joints
- link to overweight/obesity
3
Q
Pain in OA
A
- worsened by movement
- eased by rest
- worse at the end of the day
- knees, hands, spine, hips
4
Q
OA treatment
A
Painkillers
Steroid injections
NSAID/COX2 inhibitors
Surgery
5
Q
COX1 vs. COX 2
A
COX1: PG production in GIT
COX2: involved in inflammation
6
Q
Intra-articular
A
- corticosteroid injection into joints
- when pain is moderate to severe
- can casue cartilage loss and injury –> do NOT use long-term
7
Q
Rheumatoid Arthritis
A
-chronic inflammatory disorder
8
Q
Rheumatoid Arthritis signs and symptoms
A
joint damage/swelling muscle wastage joint deformity pain stiffness
9
Q
RA lab results
A
- elevated WBCs
- faster erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
- anemia
- rheumatoid factor (antibodies to lgG)
10
Q
Epidemiological risk factors
A
- age (peak at 65-75)
- gender (before menopause age, more females)
- post-partum
- stress
- genetic
- smoking
11
Q
Pain in RA
A
- improves with movement
- worse on waking
- affect small joints
- affect both sides of body (bilateral joints)
12
Q
Rheumatoid disease
A
- systemic disease
- eyes (50%)
- skin nodules
- vasculitis
- lungs
- salivary glands (reduced)
- pericarditis (inflammation of pericardium)
13
Q
RA treatment
A
symptomatic relief:
- analgesia to reduce need for NSAIDs
- NSAIDs + PPI
slow progression:
- DMARD
- Steroids
- Biologicals
14
Q
DMARDs stand for?
A
Disease Modifying Anti Rheumatic Drugs
15
Q
DMARDs for RA
A
- ideally start within 3 months
- toxic: increase gradually then reduce cautiously when symptoms are controlled
- no analgesic effect but ease pain due to less inflammation
