Rheum Flashcards
Three main categories of Rheum?
Arthropathy, vasculitides and connective tissue disorders
Osteoarthritis: epidemiology and presentation
F>M, 10% of >65s. Genetic factors + overuse + injury. Presents with painful joints (knee, hip, DIP/PIP/carpal/thumb MCP) after use, swelling, deformity and loss of function/ROM. Antalgic gait (in hip OA or knee OA if extensive). Can be symmetrical/asymmetrical and poly/oligo/monoarthritis. Can have referred pain. No systemic sx; and little to no morning stiffness.
Osteoarthritis is generally a clinical diagnosis, but a plain XR can be done if uncertain. What are the typical findings? (4)
LOSS
Loss of joint space (reduced cartilage in localised area)
Osteophyte formation (new bone)
Sclerosis (subarticular) - whiter part on XR (bone thickening under the cartilage)
Syst (subchondral cyst) - fluid filled cyst within the bone
Management of OA: conservative (4) medical (1-4th line) surgical (1)
Conservative-
- Lifestyle (weight loss, exercise)
- Orthotics
- Physio
- OT
Medical
- 1st line = topical NSAID e.g Diclofenac
- 2. Oral NSAID + PPI
- 3. Pct/weak opiod if other options not effective, or for short-term pain relief
- 4. If standard treatment not effective –>steroid injection (short term, 2-10weeks)
Surgical
- joint replacement/lavage & debridement if locking
How to screen for rheumatological conditions affecting mobility?
GALS; Asess Gait (L) Arms (LFM) Legs (LMF) Spine (LFM).
Define rheumatoid athritis and its typical serology.
Which type is present in 80% and which in 70%?
An autoimmune condition (genetic susceptibility + trigger) characterised by symmetrical periperhal polyarthritis and systemic inflammtory symptoms.
Anti-CCF (in 80%) and RF (IgM antibody targeting Fc domain of altered igG antibodies, in 70%)
Presentation of RA (joints, systemic & extra-articular)
Joints - typically smaller joints, pain, early morning stiffness and “bogginess” (fluid).
Systemic symptoms - fatigue, muscle ache, flu-y.
Extra-articular - affects eyes, lungs, heart, skin, nerves etc.
Hand examintion findings of RA (5)
+ which test is positive?
- Ulnar deviation (of fingers and wrist)
- Volar subluxation (finger ligament weakness)
- Boutonniere deformity (DIP hyperextension, PIP flexion)
- Swan neck deformity (DIP fleion, PIP hyperextension)
- Z thumb
+ positive MCP/MTP joint squeeze test
Susceptibility genes - RA? (2)
Triggers include
HLA- DR1 and 4 linked
Smoking, pathogens
CLue- Dr Szebenyi - person 1 and 4 please
Investigations (if uncertain)
Bloods (FBC- anaemia, U&E, LFT - baseline. Inflammatory markers - CRP and ESR. Serology - RF and anti-CCF).
Plain XR
What are the typical x-ray findings (4)
Soft tissue swelling
Juxtaarticular osteopenia
Decreased joint space
Erosions
Some Joints Degrade Easily
The American College of Rheum classification takes into account the number of joints involved, the presence of RA/anti-CCP, presence of inflammatory markers and duration >6 weeks. A score of what indicates likely RA?
> =6
After referring to rheum, what is the likely medical management for inducing remission (4)
- DMARD Monotherapy
- DMARD Duotherapy
- DMARD (Methotrexate) + TNF-a inhibitor (Infliximab, Adalimumab, Etanercept)
- DMARD (Methotrexate) + CD-20 inhibitor (Rituximab)
What can be used for short term flare-ups in RA?
Steroids.
NSAIDs + PPI in primary care whilst awaiting specialist management.
What type of arthritis is psoriatic?
What percentage of peoople with psoriasis develop it, and after how many years does it present following onset of skin symptoms?
A seronegative spondylarthropathy associated with psoriasis (skin & nail changes).
Occurs in <10% of patients with psoriasis - usually developed within 10 years after skin symptoms (but also possible to not have skin changes with ot)
Spondylarthropathy = inflammatory type of arthritis
Characteristic features of the following RA-associated syndromes:
1. Sicca
2. Felty
3. Caplan
- Secondary Sjorgen’s (got sicker)
- Splenomegaly & neutropenia (have you felt my spleen)
- Pulmonary fibrosis & pulmonary nodules (scarred captain)
Patterns of psoriatic arthropathy.
Which is most severe/rare?
Symmetrical poly
Asymmetrical pauci
Spondylitis
Arthritis multilans
Characteristic feature of arthritis multilans
telescope finger
Other features of psoriatic arthritis (affecting fingers, nails, heart, liver & other organs)
Dactylitis
Nail changes - pitting, oncholysis, sublingual hyperkeratosis
Aortitis
Amyloidosis
X-ray findings for psoriatic arthritis
Pencil in cup
“periarticular erosisons and joint resorption”
Also other erosions, periostitis, dactylitis
How is psoriatic arthritis managed?
Similarly to RA: DMARDS (Methotrexate) +/- biologic agents e.g. mabs. +/-Apremilast (PDE4n inhibitor)
If mild may only require NSAIDs for pain
What is the most common cause of reactive arthritis and how does it present?
Chlamydia, or another GU infection
Anterior uveitis & conjunctivitis, urethritis/balantitis, monoarticular joint LL pain/swelling (e.g. knee).
Can’t see, can’t pee, can’t bend the knee.
What skin condition can reactive arthritis can present with - brown papules on palms and soles?
Keratoderma blenorrhagica
Investigations
How is reactive arthritis assessed and managed?
What would be the finding on aspirate?
Ix
- MSU for MC&S
- Bloods - raised CRP and ESR
- XR: shows enthesitis
* Treat as per “hot joint” policy - with abx until septic arthritis has been ruled out
* Aspirate –> for 4 things - culture, sensitivies, gram staining and crystal examination
* Findings - organism cannot be cultured from the gram staining
* Once septic arthritis excluded –> NSAIDS or local steroid injections + splint
* Systemic steroids if multiarticular
Name the 4 main spondyloarthropathies
- typical blood findings (2)
- typical associations
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Reactive arthritis
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Enteric arthritis (note IBD)
All are
- seronegative (RF -ve)
- associated with HLA B27
- associated with tendon damage e.g. achilles tenodinitis and plantar fascitis
- extra-articular manifestations - uveitis, PF, amyloidosis, aortic regurg
Define ankylosing spondylitis:
An inflammatory condition, associated with HLA-B27 affecting the spine and sacro-iliac joints, causing progressive back pain & stiffness.
Clinical features: ank spond
- Describe pain
- Describe systemic features (7 As)
- Describe extra-articular features (eyes, tendons, heart, lungs, GI)
Back pain - progressively worsening (>3 mo), stiffness worse in morning and at rest, relieved by exercise.
Associated features:
1. Achilles tendinopathy; enthesitis, plantar fascitis
2. Anterior uveitis
3. Apical fibrosis
4. Aortic regurgitation
5. Amyloidosis
6. Apical fibrosis
7. And cauda equina
systemic (fatigue, weight loss), chest pain (intercostal joint stiffness), anterior uveitis (HLA-B27), enthesiits (Achilles tendon rupture & plantar fascitis), IBD, heart block, restrictive lung disease (restricted lung movements).
What is Schober’s test positive?
Lumbar restriction
(indicated by <20cm during lumbar flexion)
Supports diagnosis of ank spond.
Procedure - locate the iliac crest line. Measure 5cm below and 10cm above. On flexion the distance between the two points should be >20. In ank spond it is <20; reduced flexion due to fusion.
What typical finding would ank spond have on plain XR spine?
If no visible signs but suspicion remains high what is the next test?
Other tests for extra-articular manifestiations?
- Sacroilitis: subchondral erosions and sclerosis
- Squaring of lumbar vertebrae
- Bamboo sign (late & uncommon)
- Dagger sign - single entral radiodense line (ossification of supra/intraspinous ligaments)
AKA
1. Ossificiation
2. Fusion
3. Sclerosis
4. Erosions
5. Sydesmophytes (ossification of annulus fibrosus - the disc)
E,S,S.
- Then - MRI - can show sacroiliac joint inflammation.
- Other tests - Spirometry
How is ank spond managed? (conservative and medical)
And if severe?
Are DMARDs useful?
**Conservative: **
exercise (NOT REST) e.g. swimming physiotherapy,
smoking cessation.
Medical:
NSAIDs for pain
**If severe: **
TNF-a inhibitors (e.g. Etanercerpt, Adalimumab) +/- surgery for deformities
- DMARDs only if peripheral joint involvement
M;S ratio for ank spond.
How does this vary when men are >30?
<30s: Men, 16:1
>30s, Men, 2:1
List 5 differentials for acute red and swollen joint (e.g. knee)
Septic arthritis
Reactive arthritis (e.g. SARA)
Gout
Pseudo-gout
Haemarthrosis
Inv & Management for suspected septic arthritis (presents with acutely hot swollen knee and reduced movement, raised CRP, WCC)
+ name of guideline to follow
+ typical causative organism (young adults sexually acrtive or otherwise)
Hot joint policy
Urgent ortho review
Inv
* joint aspiration for MC&S, gram-staining and crystal assessment.
* Bloods- FBC (inf), U&E, LFT, bone profile.
* Blood cultures - most commonly caused by haematagenous spread
Mng
* start empirical IV abx then switch once sensitivities known
* if severe pt may require debridement surgery
typical causative organism is staph aureus
but in young sexually active adult could be gonoccus
Function of Koch’s criteria
To distinguish between septic arthritis and transient synovitis in paeds
Septic arthritis 1st line management
Flucloxacillin + Rifampicin
(or Vancomycin if penicillin allergic)
aka empirical abx until sensitivites known